ROSITA

Denmark, 2015, 90 minutes, Colour.
Mikkel Boe Folsgaard, Mercedes Cabral, Jens Albinus, Julie Agnete Vang, Mads Riisom.
Directed by Frederikke Aspock.

This is a Scandinavian film which focuses on social concerns – but it is also a film of great interest to audiences in the Philippines. The topic is mail-order brides.

Rosita is a mail-order bride, brought to a small fishing town by an older man who feels the need to have a wife. His more reclusive son serves as a translator.

The film shows in detail the life of the village, the Danish experience, the difficulties for a mail-order bride, especially one with a child, coming to such a different climate, such a different culture with a different language.

The film also raises the theme of arranged marriages and the contrast with people falling in love and the consequences for them and for their families.

1. Danish story? Filipino story?

2. The Danish town, by the sea, fishermen, cannery, homes, clubs, bars? The musical score?

3. The title, Rosita herself, the situation, coming from the Philippines, tourist visa, to marry, wanting to work, wanting to bring her son? Language issues? Customs issues? Support from Filipinos living locally?

4. Introduction to the family, Johannes, drinking, with Maja, the sex in the toilet, her being sick of it? At home, with his father? With his brother? His being a fisherman? The father and his work? The cannery? The brother and his pregnant wife?

5. Ulrik wanting to marry again, the connections with the Filipinos, Rosita’s arrival? The language barrier? His showing her round? The kitchen, cleaning? The meals? The meal? Her meeting Johannes? His speaking English, the translations and communication?

6. Rosita, her ordinary life, wanting to work, the tourist visa? Johannes allowing her to clean the boat? Coming home to Ulrik? Sexual experiences? Support?

7. Johannes, the translations, attracted to Rosita, she to him? The awkwardness of the relationship with his father? His brother noticing?

8. The father, going to the prostitute, his drinking, playing football with his sons? Promising a future to Rosita? Johannes telling his father about the son, the father taken aback, yet his willingness for the son to come?

9. Johannes’ relationship with Maja, her work in the salon, tensions between the two, the relationship, wanting to move? Maja realising the truth?

10. Rosita, the support from the local Filipinos, at the club?

11. The wedding, Johannes dressed, talking with his father, not going in? The wedding?

12. The future, Rosita with Ulrik, bringing her son, Johannes and Maja – and going off in the future?

13. Reflection on migrant situations in Scandinavia? Mail-order brides?