Movie No. 39 (2016): LION'S DEN (aka Leonera)
Lion's Den (aka Leonera) (2008)
Julia, a college student finds herself in prison after being accused of murdering her lover. Because of her condition, she is "thrown" into the special section of the women's penitentiary called the "lion's den," where pregnant inmates and those who are with children of age below four years are being incarcerated. Then we see conflicts concerning motherhood after Julia has delivered her son Tomas.
Director: Pablo Trapero
Cast: Martina Gusman, Elli Medeiros, Rodrigo Santoro
In Spanish, with English subtitles
Julia, a college student finds herself in prison after being accused of murdering her lover. Because of her condition, she is "thrown" into the special section of the women's penitentiary called the "lion's den," where pregnant inmates and those who are with children of age below four years are being incarcerated. Then we see conflicts concerning motherhood after Julia has delivered her son Tomas.
This is a prison movie. But, what makes the movie better than some movies of the genre is the narrative's focus on the characters. The cinematography is successful in making the audience feel claustrophobic and locked up as the characters feel and, at the same time, experience the "little freedom" of the inmates' children as they play in the makeshift playground provided for them inside the facilities. The lead actor (Martina Gusman) gives a competent performance. The uplifting opening song by children in the background of the opening credits and the final scene are some of the important uplifting moments in the otherwise bleak film.
This film competed for Palm D'Or at Festival De Cannes in 2008.
Rating: 3.5/4.0
Date seen: July 17, 2016
Comments