Camila (1984)

In 1840's Buenos Aires, Argentina, a beautiful young socialite named Camila falls in love with Ladislao, a Jesuit priest. After several failed attempts at fighting his own feelings, he ... See full summary »

Director:

María Luisa Bemberg

Writers:

María Luisa Bemberg, Beda Docampo Feijóo,

Stars:

Susú Pecoraro, Imanol Arias, Héctor Alterio

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susú Pecoraro	...	Camila O'Gorman
Imanol Arias	...	Ladislao Gutiérrez
Héctor Alterio	...	Adolfo O'Gorman
Elena Tasisto	...	Joaquina O'Gorman
Carlos Muñoz	...	Monsignor Elortondo
Héctor Pellegrini	...	Commandant Soto
Juan Leyrado
Cecilio Madanes
Claudio Gallardou	...	Eduardo O'Gorman
Boris Rubaja	...	Ignacio
Alberto Busaid
Lidia Catalano
Zelmar Gueñol
Jorge Hacker
Carlos Marchi

Storyline

In 1840's Buenos Aires, Argentina, a beautiful young socialite named Camila falls in love with Ladislao, a Jesuit priest. After several failed attempts at fighting his own feelings, he ultimately succumbs to her. The two later escape to a far off, secluded village where they assume new identities as husband and wife and begin running a children's school. After several months of relative happiness, the couple's identity is discovered by a local priest. Under moralistic pressure from both Camila's family and the Catholic church the authorities apprehend the lovers, and imprison them for sacrilege.

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Plot Keywords:

1840s | priest | love | church | jesuit | 

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Taglines:

130 years ago they were condemned to be loved. Today you can judge them.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Argentina Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

15 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Camila - Das Mädchen und der Priester

Filming Locations:

Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

GEA Producciones, Impala

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Argentina's official selection for the 1984 Oscar Awards, Foreign Language film category.

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Quotes

Camila O'Gorman: Ladislao, Are you there?
Ladislao Gutiérrez: Close to you, Camila.

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Connections

Remake of Camila O'Gorman (1909)

User Reviews

"In Memory of Camila O'Gorman...."

In 1982, the Argentine military government seized the Falkland Islands, also known as Las Islas Malvinas, from the British. The British deployed combat forces to the South Atlantic and recaptured the territory in a war that lasted ten and a half weeks. This led to the downfall of the Argentine military junta and a reversion to democracy, establishing conditions which in 1984 brought to the screen a true story that had been suppressed by political, religious, and/or cultural forces for nearly fourteen decades. It is one of the most popular movies in the history of Argentina, from among those produced by that nation.

Camila refers to Camila O'Gorman, and opens very briefly in her childhood with the arrival at her family's ranch of a stagecoach bearing her grandmother, who is to be placed under house arrest. Camila's father fully consents to the arrangement, siding with the authorities rather than with his mother, who is on the wrong side of contemporary political affairs. The opening then shifts forward to Buenos Aires, 1847. Camila, now a young woman of about 19, is closeted with and huddled over some newborn kittens she knows will earn her father's disapproval if he discovers them. In the late 1840s, Argentina is under the control of a dictator, General Rosas, and the federals. The unitarians, some in exile and others trying to stay under the radar (as it were), are the latent opposition.

The plot can be summarized simply: A socialite daughter from a wealthy family falls in love with a (celibate) Jesuit priest. It is not only taboo in a Catholic society, but is taboo in a Catholic society at the wrong place and the wrong time, and neither the federals nor the unitarians contribute positively to the outcome. As the kittens meet their fate and the opening credits conclude, we view a statement dedicating the movie: "In memory of Camila O'Gorman…." History, and director Maria Luisa Bemberg, are serious about the advisory, so be forewarned, and be aware also that the movie has an R rating. The film coloring is memorable, and Susu Pecoraro in the lead actress role gives a strong performance.