Chrysalis

(De tu ventana a la mía)

Paula Ortiz / Spain / 2011 / 95 min
Synopsis

Spanish with English subtitles

With Maribel Verdu, Leticia Dolera, Luisa Gavasa, Carlos Alvarez-Novoa, Luis Bermejo, Cristina Rota, Pablo Rivero, Fran Perea, Ramon Barea, Alex Angulo, Roberto Alamo

In 1923, Violeta’s passions are aroused when a young university student spends some time in her house. In 1941, Ines hides her lover, an anti-Franco activist, knowing he could be arrested at any moment. In 1975, Luisa is so wrapped up in her petty concerns she doesn’t see the possibility of happiness right before her. First-time director Paula Ortiz here creates a chronicle of three generations of Spanish women each trying to control their own destinies against the background of a rapidly changing Spain.

Brilliant performances by Maribel Verdu (Pan’s Laberynth, Y Tu Mamá También), Leticia Dolera (The Last Day, Prime Time) and Luisa Gayasa, who won the Goya award as best actress, shine in this unique and striking film.

About the Director
Educated at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and UCLA, Paula Ortiz made the short films El Rostro de Ido (Ido’s Face, 2003), Fotos de Familia (Family Snapshots, 2005), and El hueco de Tristán Boj (Tristan Boj’s Hollow, 2008). Her feature debut De tu ventana a la mía (Chrysalis, 2011) won Best New Director and FIPRESCI Special Mention at the Valladolid Film Festival (SEMINCI) and was nominated for three Goya Awards for Best New Director, Supporting Actress, and Original Song. Chrysalis made its International Premiere in June 2012 at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where it won Special Mention and Best Music in the Golden Goblet Competition.
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