Dirt

Nancy Savoca, the tremendously talented director, surprises with this film in which she tackles a problem that is so prevalent, yet one hardly hears about it: illegal workers. In this case a maid, trying to make ends meet by working long hours doing what most of her wealthy clients will not do, cleaning and maintaining order in their homes, while pursuing their complicated lives.

Dolores is a Salvadoran woman who has entered the country illegally. She lives in Queens with her husband and son. We watch Dolores going through her daily routine cleaning an apartment of a rich family. Her daily life also include cleaning other richly decorated homes of the rich folks in Manhattan.

"Dirt" raises a lot of questions about the life of the people that are living illegally in the country and how they must struggle to stay afloat. These people are basically survivors because they must do what others don't want to do. Most illegal workers never receive the wages they deserve for the jobs they do.

Nancy Savoca and Richard Guay have written an extraordinary film. Our hearts go after Dolores, a good soul who wants to save for the dream house she is building in El Salvador, where the family will live eventually. The problems with raising her own son is also seen as one of the thorns in these immigrants sides because they are young and vulnerable and many will end up facing the law.

Julieta Ortiz as Dolores does a fabulous job in her portrayal of the Salvadoran woman who is going through a rough period in her life in America. The large, unknown cast, is excellent, but one must single out the charming Yvette Mercedes, who plays Dolores best friend.

Ms. Savoca achieves another triumph with this film that will be an eye opener for many viewers and how they perceive these poor people caught in what they thought would be their American dream.