The Maid (2009)

A drama centered on a maid trying to hold on to her position after having served a family for 23 years.

Director:

Sebastián Silva

Writers:

Sebastián Silva (story), Sebastián Silva

Stars:

Catalina Saavedra, Claudia Celedón, Mariana Loyola

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 34 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catalina Saavedra	...	Raquel
Claudia Celedón	...	Pilar
Mariana Loyola	...	Lucy
Andrea García-Huidobro	...	Camila
Alejandro Goic	...	Mundo
Agustín Silva	...	Lucas
Anita Reeves	...	Sonia
Mercedes Villanueva	...	Mercedes
Delfina Guzmán	...	Abuela
Andreína Olivarí	...	Javiera
Juan Pablo Larenas	...	Rodrigo
Luis Dubó	...	Eric
Luis Wigdorsky	...	Papá de Lucy
Gloria Canales	...	Mamá de Lucy
Sebastián La Rivera	...	Gabriel

Storyline

The story of how a maid called Raquel, who has worked for over 20 years in one affluent Chilean household, rediscovers herself. La Nana is a microcosm of Latin social hierarchy while also focusing on one woman's journey to free herself from a mental servitude of her own making

---

Plot Keywords:

maid | chilean | upper middle class | tears | bedridden | 

---

Taglines:

She's more or less family.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Chile]

Country:

Chile Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

11 March 2011 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Maid

Filming Locations:

Santiago, Chile

Box Office

Budget:

$430,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,036, 18 October 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$549,530, 7 February 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forastero, Diroriro, Film Tank

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 115 min (European Film Market) 115 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (HDCAM)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in CQC Chile: Episode dated 16 August 2009 (2009)

---

Soundtracks

Ayayayay
Written and performed by Pedro Piedra

User Reviews

"She's like one of the family"

La Nana (2009), shown in the U.S. as "The Maid," was written and directed by Sebastián Silva. This film recounts the life, and plight, of a maid in a well-to-do Chilean family. Catalina Saavedra portrays Raquel, who has worked for the same family for 23 years. She lives in their home, and knows their habits, secrets, and idiosyncrasies.

The problem is that Raquel has no life outside of the family, and nothing much to show for these years of devoted service. It's true that everyone considers her "one of the family," but she really isn't. When her behavior becomes somewhat erratic, the family has to cope with the problem.

To their credit, they don't consider firing Raquel, but their solution is to hire another maid. Raquel perceives this as a threat to her position and identity. Her efforts to force the new maids to leave are treated as comedy, and they are humorous, but beneath the humor is the sad fact that if Raquel loses her central position within the household, she loses her the only thing of value that she has.

Catalina Saavedra is outstanding as Raquel. In fact, it would be hard to imagine another actor in the role. You accept her as La Nana, and you have to remind yourself that this is a work of fiction, not a documentary about domestic service in Chile.

The film is worth seeking out, although the ending is not really satisfying. Despite the weak ending, it's a movie made with skill and obvious respect for the protagonist. It was shown in the Dryden Theatre, Rochester, as part of the excellent Rochester Labor Film Series. It may be hard to find in a theater, and will work well on a small screen. See it!