LA NANA
Chile/Mexico, 2009, 97 minutes, Colour.
Catalina Saavedra.
Directed by Sebastian Silva.
La Nana is a study of a maid, a domestic who has worked for a family for over twenty years. She lives a quiet life, has seemingly little personality of her own, depends very much on the affirmation of the family which she serves constantly and diligently. It is a tour-de-force performance from Catalina Saavedra.
The film opens with her forty-first birthday and the family celebrating. However, she is not completely well and the mother of the household intends to get her some help. The film shows her reaction, sometimes violent, often passive aggressive, to the assistant maids. A young woman she persecutes, locks out of the house, makes her life miserable. An older woman she clashes with, even physically fighting. However, a third maid comes along and reacts entirely differently. She is a very cheerful woman, affirms the maid and they gradually become friends, sharing the work. She also invites the maid for the Christmas holidays to her family.
When the new maid decides that she will leave of her own accord, the maid is open to all kinds of possibilities. Were the film an American horror film, she would probably take a knife to the family. Or, she might go mad. However, the option is that she assumes the manner and something of the personality of her friend, the other maid and is last seen jogging in the same kind of tracksuit, with the same listening device, imitating her friend.
The film shows the life of a rich family in Chile, the role of servants and the lack of appreciation at times, despite the fuss made, of the personality of the servant and her opportunities in life.
1.A domestic drama, the focus on Raquel?
2.Chile, the household, the interiors of the house, the exteriors, the garden? Shops, Lucy’s home? The musical score?
3.The context of the family, the father quiet and retired, building his model ship, sneaking away to play golf? The mother, her personality, genial, managing the household, with the children, her devotion to them? Lukas and his cheerfulness, the experience of puberty, his friends? The younger children and their playing? Carmelina, her age, petulant, hostile to Raquel?
4.Raquel as the maid and the nanny, serving the family their meal, eating alone, ignoring the bell, the family bringing her in to celebrate her birthday, the song, the cake, the gifts? Her reaction? The phone call from her mother?
5.The enigmatic personality of Raquel? Getting up in the morning, her routines, the meals, making the beds, seeing the children off to school, breakfast in bed for the father and mother, washing the clothes, vacuuming? Her whole life centred on the family? Twenty-one years? Her physical health, her pills, headaches, her collapse? The meaning of her life, affirmation from the family? Her love of the boys, tolerant about their behaviour, the clashes with Carmelina?
6.The mother offering a helper, Raquel and her disquiet, her day off, going to the shops, trying on the jacket, buying it?
7.Mercedes, young, the mother introducing her to Raquel, Raquel’s hostility, talking to her, taking over the jobs, taking the trays, disinfecting the bath after her shower, locking her out of the house, pretending not to hear her? The family’s reaction? Carmelina and the cat, Raquel and her getting rid of the cat? Mercedes leaving?
8.Raquel as more paranoid, narrow in her outlook, affection? The way that she saw the family and their friends?
9.Sonia, older, imposed on Raquel? The mother’s mother and her comments? Sonia tough, different attitude towards the jobs, the shower and the disinfecting, the fighting with Raquel, being locked out, climbing over the roof, climbing down and hurting herself, the physical fight, the smashing of the father’s model boat? Her walking out?
10.Raquel deteriorating, a woman of spite?
11.Lucy, the same treatment, Lucy’s different personality, response, affectionate, fooling around, locked out and sunbaking, talking with Raquel, Raquel surprised, affirmed? Changing, sharing her work?
12.The visit to Lucy’s family, travelling in the train, listening to the radio, the uncle, his later sexual approach and Raquel’s reaction, at home with Lucy’s family, taking the photos, joyful, her mother’s phone call, change?
13.The return after the holiday, Lucy as a character, nice, joyful, relishing family life, missing out on her birthday with her family, the regrets, Raquel organising a party and gifts for her?
14.Lucy deciding to leave, Raquel devastated, her options, identifying with Lucy, the final jogging?
15.Raquel’s potential for destruction, her options and affirmation of her different choice, a partial redemption, the possibilities of a better life?
