Princesas (2005)

Friendship and love in the world of prostitution in Madrid.

Director:

Fernando León de Aranoa

Writer:

Fernando León de Aranoa

Stars:

Candela Peña, Micaela Nevárez, Mariana Cordero

10 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Candela Peña	...	Caye
Micaela Nevárez	...	Zulema
Mariana Cordero	...	Pilar
Llum Barrera	...	Gloria
Violeta Pérez	...	Caren
Mònica Van Campen	...	Ángela (as Mónica Van Campen)
Flora Álvarez	...	Rosa
María Ballesteros	...	Miss Metadona
Alejandra Lorente	...	Mamen
Luis Callejo	...	Manuel
Antonio Durán 'Morris'	...	Funcionario (as Antonio Durán Morris)
Pere Arquillué	...	Carlos
Pepa Aniorte	...	Alicia
Alberto Ferreiro	...	Voluntario
Enrique Villén	...	Dueño del bar

Storyline

In Madrid's bustling streets, two perfect strangers, Caye, a thirty-year-old single woman, and Zulema, an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic, struggle to make ends meet working as prostitutes, of course, unbeknownst to their families. Under those circumstances and by an unforeseen twist of fate, the two rivals will quickly bond, and even though they are worlds apart, Caye and Zulema will soon realise that they have so much in common, and in reality, their coincidental and somewhat improbable encounter will be the beginning of a beautiful and profound friendship.

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Plot Keywords:

prostitution | friendship between women | female nudity | sadist | off screen rape | 

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Taglines:

They lived off the streets with hope of a better life.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

2 September 2005 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Принцеси

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€740,666 (Spain), 4 September 2005, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,147, 27 August 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$28,866, 5 November 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Reposado Producciones,Mediapro,Antena 3 Televisión

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Caye: [subtitled version] Can you feel nostalgic over something that hasn't happened yet? Because sometimes I do. I sometimes imagine how things will turn out, with boys, for example, or life in general. And I feel sad when I remember how nice they were going to be, because they were going to be beautiful, really beautiful. Then I get nostalgic when I remember. Because they were going to be so beautiful. And when I realize they haven't happened yet and that they might never happen, I get really sad.

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Connections

Referenced in Aída: Tu madre se ha comido mi dedo (2006)

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Soundtracks

5 Razones
Performed by Manu Chao

User Reviews

All around crowd-pleaser

I saw this at the Montreal ibero-Spanish film festival (Festivalissimo) and this won the Audience Prize, with reason. This Spanish treat deals with themes of family, love, self-perception, racist, the acceptance of some times harsh reality and the nurturing of dreams. This all takes place in a dim world of prostitution where humour is splashed by a friendly bunch of prostitutes in the hopes to accept their less than stellar role in society. Candela Peña is great in her role. Her character, Caye, is torn between many things and she is able to portray that delicate balance and captivate the audience, drawing them in like one of Caye's client.

The acting is good, but it is also based on a great script. It is at once witty, touching and revealing. We delve quite a bit into the prostitution world, but manage to stay mostly in the light side of it, while being able to imagine the darker aspects. The inner voyage, the search, the subterfuge and the constant questioning are all very well woven into the story and the ending leaves us on a high note, after so much intense moments.

The editing puts it all together and the original music makes us feel and think. A genuine crowd-pleaser. Go and enjoy!