LA TETA ASUSTADA (THE MILK OF SORROW)

Peru, 2009, 94 minutes, Colour.
Magaly Solier.
Directed by Claudia Llosa.

A glimpse of Peru, people, customs, culture, superstitions.

The striking opening is in song. An old dying woman laments the brutality of her rape and her fears for her unborn daughter. Linked with this is a tradition of the 'milk of sorrow', the passing on of the fear to a child from its mother's breast. Another tradition is the insertion of a potato into the vagina to prevent rape. These mythical beliefs are in contrast to contemporary medical practice in the villages on the outskirts of Lima.

The central character is Fausta, the reticent daughter of the old woman. She also has a gift for spontaneous singing. When she goes into service for a rich woman, she agrees to receive a pearl from the woman's necklace each time she she sings for her. The film offers a series of glimpses of Fausta – living at her uncle's where her cousin is preparing for a wedding, going to look for coffins for her mother, wanting to earn money to take her mother back to their native village.

Fausta is both fearful and strong, slow but also wise (but not worldly-wise).

Director Claudia Llosa brings a female sensitivity to this portrait of an unusual young woman as well as women's issues. Winner of the Berlinale Golden Bear.

1.A perspective on Peru? The winner of the Golden Bear in Berlin? A focus on people, the community, society, traditions? Social and religious background? Myths and superstitions? Their place in Peru in the 21st century?

2.The outskirts of Lima, the mountains, the dry terrain, the desert sequences, the villages? The contrast with the mansions? Rich and poor?

3.The opening and the old woman singing, Fausta’s mother? The story of the rape and her suffering? The gift for Fausta to compose and sing? Imagining stories and the melodies? Aida and her listening, her transferring Fausta’s melody for piano recital?

4.The tone of the mother, her terror, the rape, her suffering, concern for the unborn child? Her dying? Fausta and her care for her mother? The women, their tending to the body, preparing it for burial? Fausta and her cousins going to the various dealers, the conditions of the coffins, the price? Her wanting to earn money to take her mother to their village? Going into service?

5.Fausta and her age, her love for her marriage? Staying with her uncle and the family? The story of the milk of sorrow and the transferring of suffering through the breast milk? Her mother and the stories of the potato, prevention against rape? The growth of the potato? Discussing this with the doctor? Fausta and her not using it? Her prescription and her tearing it up? Her growing worry, clipping the sprouts? Her fear and superstition?

6.The explanations of the milk of sorrow, the mother’s milk and fear?

7.The portrait of the family, the uncle and his care, his wife? Maxie and the preparing for the wedding, wanting the huge wedding train, her petulance? The cousin at home, help with the coffins?

8.The various wedding sequences, the rehearsals, the ceremonies, the group and the conduct of the wedding? Photos, dancing, the mass consent? Maxie and the float, her train? The photos at the reception, her dancing with her husband, the gifts, the celebration?

9.Fausta and her introspection, silent, fearful, her nose bleeding, her hesitating? Aida and the interview, employing her? The different works? Her singing, cooking, hair, attending to Aida?

10.The necklace of pearls, their scattering, Aida offering the deal, Fausta and her hesitation, singing, the range of songs and their lyrics? The effect on Aida? The end, the performance, Aida ousting her from the car? Fausta and the handful of pearls?

11.Aida, the attitude of the rich, whims, the mansion, the piano and burning the old one, the new? The performance of the concert, her attitude towards Fausta and dismissing her?

12.Noe, the gardener, Fausta’s initial hesitation with him, discussing matters, Fausta and her fear, walking, alone, the choices, his comment on the flowers? The earth, vegetables and flowers? The end with the daisy in the pot? Her favourite flower?

13.The effect, Fausta and her collapse, the pearls, her undergoing the operation?

14.Taking her mother into the desert, to the sea, her trek with the mother, her fidelity and loyalty?

15.The end with the daisy, the children, hope? Fausta’s future?