This is the story of a sensitive woman who has the misfortune of having been considered unattractive all her life. Since her unfortunate and ill-timed birth, Gertrudis will be the butt of derision. Having been born from a Jewish mother as she arrives in Argentina, the unwanted baby is not even given a name by her parents. The customs inspector suggests she could be called Gertrudis, after his own girlfriend.
Gertrudis has a hard time throughout her youth. Growing up, she meets a subtle cruelty from her classmates. Her own mother even suggests how to pose for pictures, by almost disappearing from the frame. In spite of her lack of physical attributes, Gertrudis has a vivid imagination; she sees beauty everywhere. When Leo Cohen, a Jewish widower, goes to find a substitute for his dead wife, he passes over Gertrudis' sisters, and selects her. He obviously sees quality in the homely woman, whom he will use as a way to get children; for all practical purposes Gertrudis becomes his slave. We do not even see a kind gesture from this man toward the woman that has done everything for him, without even complaining.
When the French photographer Jean-Baptiste arrives in the farm, he is surprised by the self effacing woman who refuses to be photographed with her family. During his stay, Gertrudis listens riveted to what the stories the man has to offer. Jean-Baptiste, who has been injured during WW1, has seen enough horrors in his lifetime that he now wants to escape from them by taking pictures of beauty. He finds in Gertrudis the kind soul that has been taken for granted by her family and the world, at large.
Maria Victoria Menis, the director and adapter of a short story by Angelica Gorodischer, works in subtle ways in this moody film that is basically a character story about Gertrudis. The film is slow in the European tradition. Ms. Menis has brought the viewer into a magical world where beauty of the land contrasts with the outward appearance of a woman that has tried to erase herself from existence. Gertrudis has lived with a man for many years without being given any kind of affection by a cold husband and indifferent children. When Jean-Baptiste arrives, she begins examining her life and she is reborn because she feels wanted and appreciated by the French man that happens to come her way.
The work of Mirta Bogdasarian is pitch perfect. She really understands what it is to be looked down because the outward appearance. Gertrudis is played with a subtlety that with another actress it might have not been possible. Ms. Bogdasarian is the whole reason for watching the film. Patrick Dell'Isola does a fine job for the director. Fernando Arman gives a solid performance as the selfish husband that has no clue about the gem he had, but did not appreciate.
The film is beautifully photographed by Marcelo Iaccarino. The musical score is by Marcelo Moguilevski. Not having seen the previous work of Ms. Menis, we can only go by this film which shows a talent for giving her audience a subtle story, told in gorgeous detail.
Gertrudis has a hard time throughout her youth. Growing up, she meets a subtle cruelty from her classmates. Her own mother even suggests how to pose for pictures, by almost disappearing from the frame. In spite of her lack of physical attributes, Gertrudis has a vivid imagination; she sees beauty everywhere. When Leo Cohen, a Jewish widower, goes to find a substitute for his dead wife, he passes over Gertrudis' sisters, and selects her. He obviously sees quality in the homely woman, whom he will use as a way to get children; for all practical purposes Gertrudis becomes his slave. We do not even see a kind gesture from this man toward the woman that has done everything for him, without even complaining.
When the French photographer Jean-Baptiste arrives in the farm, he is surprised by the self effacing woman who refuses to be photographed with her family. During his stay, Gertrudis listens riveted to what the stories the man has to offer. Jean-Baptiste, who has been injured during WW1, has seen enough horrors in his lifetime that he now wants to escape from them by taking pictures of beauty. He finds in Gertrudis the kind soul that has been taken for granted by her family and the world, at large.
Maria Victoria Menis, the director and adapter of a short story by Angelica Gorodischer, works in subtle ways in this moody film that is basically a character story about Gertrudis. The film is slow in the European tradition. Ms. Menis has brought the viewer into a magical world where beauty of the land contrasts with the outward appearance of a woman that has tried to erase herself from existence. Gertrudis has lived with a man for many years without being given any kind of affection by a cold husband and indifferent children. When Jean-Baptiste arrives, she begins examining her life and she is reborn because she feels wanted and appreciated by the French man that happens to come her way.
The work of Mirta Bogdasarian is pitch perfect. She really understands what it is to be looked down because the outward appearance. Gertrudis is played with a subtlety that with another actress it might have not been possible. Ms. Bogdasarian is the whole reason for watching the film. Patrick Dell'Isola does a fine job for the director. Fernando Arman gives a solid performance as the selfish husband that has no clue about the gem he had, but did not appreciate.
The film is beautifully photographed by Marcelo Iaccarino. The musical score is by Marcelo Moguilevski. Not having seen the previous work of Ms. Menis, we can only go by this film which shows a talent for giving her audience a subtle story, told in gorgeous detail.