The Heiresses 2019
Directed by
Marcelo Martinessi
Made by
Distrib Films
Plot Summary
Chela and Chiquita, a couple for over three decades, find themselves in a precarious financial situation as their funds dwindle. Faced with mounting pressure, they begin to sell off their furniture, but Chela, played by Alicia Guerra, is too proud to accept help from friends. When Chiquita, portrayed by Margarita Irun, receives a summons to the city jail due to fraudulent loan allegations, Chela is suddenly left to navigate their troubled world alone. To avoid embarrassment, she tells others that Chiquita is taking a seaside break, while continuing the process of selling their belongings.
Enter Picuta, an elderly neighbor who requests Chela’s assistance in driving her and her card-playing friends around. Although Chela lacks a driver’s license, she agrees, mainly because Picuta insists on paying for gas, which unwittingly kicks off an unregistered taxi service for the group.
During one of her journeys, Chela encounters the vivacious Angy, played by Ana Ivanova, who implores her to drive to Itauguá to see her sick mother. Despite never having traversed the motorway before, Chela finds herself determined to help. Angy, intrigued by the older woman’s solitude, shares colorful tales of her tumultuous love life. However, their bond cools when Angy impulsively jumps out of the car to reunite with a passing boyfriend, leaving Chela feeling abandoned.
As Chela shuttles Picuta and others to a funeral, fate brings her back to Angy, with whom she eventually shares a bottle of wine later that night. Overwhelmed by emotions, when Angy makes an unexpected advance, Chela seeks refuge in the bathroom, only to find upon emerging that Angy has left. The following days grow heavier for Chela, whose mental state deteriorates due to the pressures of caring for Chiquita and the sudden upheaval in her life. When Chiquita is released from prison, she discovers not only Chela’s absence, but also that their car has disappeared, leaving them both to grapple with the chaos that now surrounds them.
Timeline
Financial Struggles
Chela and Chiquita, a couple for over three decades, begin to face a precarious financial situation as their funds dwindle. They start selling off their furniture in a desperate attempt to make ends meet.
Chiquita's Legal Trouble
Chiquita receives a summons to the city jail due to allegations of fraud regarding a loan. This incident leaves Chela to navigate their troubled situation alone, creating a feeling of abandonment.
Creating a Facade
In a bid to avoid embarrassment, Chela fabricates a story about Chiquita taking a vacation by the seaside. This deception adds another layer to Chela's isolation as she continues to sell their belongings.
Picuta's Request
Chela's elderly neighbor, Picuta, asks for her help in driving her and her card-playing friends around. Though Chela doesn't have a driver's license, she is motivated by Picuta's offer to pay for gas, which sparks an unregistered taxi service.
Encountering Angy
During one of her drives, Chela meets Angy, a vibrant young woman who pleads for her to take her to Itauguá to visit her sick mother. Despite her unfamiliarity with the journey, Chela feels compelled to assist.
Bonding with Angy
As they travel, Angy shares intriguing stories about her tumultuous love life, sparking a connection with Chela. However, this bond starts to wane when Angy impulsively jumps out of the car to chase after her boyfriend.
Funeral Journey
Chela continues her unregistered taxi service and takes Picuta and others to a funeral. This experience brings back memories and creates a mix of emotions for Chela as she navigates her own loneliness.
Unexpected Reunion
After the funeral, Chela has a chance encounter with Angy again. They share a bottle of wine that evening, reigniting some of the warmth that had previously blossomed between them.
A Confusing Advance
In a moment of shared intimacy, Angy unexpectedly makes a romantic advance towards Chela. Overwhelmed by her emotions and the situation, Chela retreats to the bathroom for refuge.
Angy's Departure
When Chela finally emerges from the bathroom, she discovers that Angy has left without saying goodbye. This absence leaves Chela feeling even more isolated in her already troubled life.
Mental Decline
As days pass, the weight of caring for Chiquita and dealing with her tumultuous situation begins to take its toll on Chela's mental health. Her outlook becomes increasingly bleak as chaos begins to surround her.
Chiquita's Release
Chiquita is finally released from prison, but she finds the home environment drastically changed. The absence of Chela and the disappearance of their car symbolize the chaotic shift in their lives.
Confronting Reality
After Chiquita's release, both women must confront the new reality of their situation, grappling with feelings of loss, uncertainty, and the struggle to re-establish their lives together.
Characters
Chela
Chela, portrayed by Alicia Guerra, is a strong-willed woman grappling with her identity in the face of adversity. Her pride and reluctance to accept help shine through as she navigates her partner's legal troubles and the resulting loneliness. Chela’s character arc reveals a poignant journey from isolation to the quest for connections, highlighted by her tumultuous interactions with Angy.
Chiquita
Chiquita, played by Margarita Irun, represents resilience yet vulnerability as she faces fraudulent charges that place immense strain on her and Chela’s relationship. Her absence from Chela’s life during crucial moments evokes a sense of longing and separation, forcing Chela to confront her solitude head-on. Chiquita’s journey underscores the significance of partnership and the emotional toll of unexpected events.
Angy
Angy, portrayed by Ana Ivanova, serves as a catalyst for Chela’s personal growth, bringing vibrancy and challenge into her life. Despite her energetic demeanor, Angy's impulsivity leaves an emotional void when she abruptly disconnects from Chela. Her character embodies the complexities of modern relationships and serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of connections amidst personal chaos.
Setting
Time period
The movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting the real-world challenges of financial instability and societal pressures faced by aging couples. It captures the essence of modern life, highlighting issues such as mental health and the quest for personal connection amidst turmoil.
Location
Itauguá
Itauguá is a city in Paraguay known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant community. The city often serves as a backdrop for personal journeys and emotional encounters, reflecting both the struggles and connections people experience in their lives. In the context of the movie, it signifies a place of urgency as Chela drives there to assist Angy, representing the intersection of their lives.
Themes
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Loneliness
The theme of loneliness permeates the film as Chela grapples with her isolation following Chiquita's incarceration. Despite fleeting connections with others, particularly Angy, Chela's journey reveals the deep emotional scars wrought by abandonment and neglect. The evolving dynamics of her relationships underscore not just her solitude, but the enduring human desire for companionship.
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Financial Strain
Financial struggles serve as a critical backdrop to the narrative, placing immense pressure on Chela and Chiquita's relationship. Their decision to sell belongings reflects the desperation often felt in the face of economic hardship. This theme highlights the impact of financial insecurity on personal identities and relationships, driving characters to adapt in unforeseen ways.
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Independence
Chela's newfound independence emerges as she takes on the role of a driver, challenging her previous limitations. This shift allows her to explore new territories, both literally and metaphorically, as she interacts with others and confronts her emotional struggles. The act of driving symbolizes her journey towards self-discovery amidst adversity.
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