The Holy Girl aka La Niña Santa
by Lucrecia Martel
2004, Argentina, 106 min., Spanish w/ English subtitles
Lucrecia Martel, an acclaimed Argentine filmmaker, is of the most distinctive auteurs within the ‘New Argentine Cinema’, an umbrella term used to describe the films of young directors who began to work in the aftermath of the financial meltdown of their country towards the end of the ’90s. The director is known for her nuanced exploration of social hierarchies, identity, and the human psyche through a distinct cinematic lens. Notably, her works have gained broader visibility through the support of El Deseo, the production company founded by Pedro Almodóvar and his brother Agustín. With El Deseo’s backing, Martel has been able to continue crafting her unique, thought-provoking narratives, as seen in films like Zama (2017), which exemplifies her artistic vision.
Amelia, is a young teenager who lives in Salta, a town in the northern-region of Argentina where Martel grew up – a small Catholic and conservative area towards which Martel has conflicting feelings. The film follows the story of Amalia’s sexual and spiritual discovery. During a medical conference at the hotel Termas the spa town of La Ciénaga, Amalia encounters Dr. Jano, a middle-aged, married doctor who becomes infatuated with her. Meanwhile, Jano himself is the object of affection for Melena, the hotel’s beautiful, divorced owner—and Amalia’s mother.
This screening is the tenth part of the ongoing OS MUTANTES series at WORM. Inspired by Theresa Villaverde’s film of the same name, we use the concept of the mutant as a way to reframe growing up as a transformative process, rather than the typical "coming of age" narrative that often feels focused on individual success and self-improvement. The series includes films by Catharine Breillat, Paul B. Preciado, Wang Bing, and many others.
Cineville valid at the door!