Spanish with English subtitles
With Mariana Derderian, Paloma Salas, Roberto Farías, Nestor Cantillana, Alejandro Goic, Claudia Celedón, Daniela Castillo.
Frances Ha is called Cristina in this Chilean generational comedy produced by Salma Hayek and directed by Gonzalo Maza, screenwriter of A Fantastic Woman and Gloria. Maza is renowned as one of the great screenwriters of Latin American cinema.
Cristina and Susana have been best friends since high school. But now, at over 30 years of age, they are getting a wake-up call. Cristina has just gone through a divorce and is not prepared for her new bachelorhood, while Susana returns to live at her mother’s house. When the women fight and drift, they must deal with a long list of selfish, self-centered, and egotistical men on their own.
With beautiful black and white cinematography inspired by the films of John Cassavetes and Jim Jarmusch, which Maza has cited as references, This is Cristina makes clear that Maza is as talented a director as he is a screenwriter.
Press
“I was drawn towards Ella es Cristina for its unique portrait of a generation of urban young Chilean women struggling for recognition and respect but in a fresh and funny way.” – Salma Hayek, Variety
“Gonzalo Maza's lo-fi black-and-white comedy about the misadventures of two charmingly aimless women is as strikingly original as it is warmly familiar; its portrait of millennial malaise is streaked with surprising and bracing darkness.” – Devika Girish, New York Times
“With a series of seemingly random scenes shot in a striking monochrome, this clever Chilean comedy-drama traces the rollercoaster trajectory of a friendship between two women who seem unwilling to grow up and take responsibility for their lives. For his directing debut, gifted writer-producer Gonzalo Meza (A Fantastic Woman) cleverly weaves together a coming-of-age story that hinges on this connection. It feels crisp and light, but carries a strong kick.” – Rich Cline, Shadows on the Walls
“Funny, relatable, light-hearted and, in parts, very moving...a tender and touching friendship seen through Maza’s mocking-but-affectionate view of urban millennials. With most of the male characters being comically self-serving, there is a feeling that in this instance, female friendships are more honest, providing a safer space to be their authentic selves.” – Amy Hancock, Sounds and Colours
“Ella es Cristina is a moving study of relationships of all kinds, in particular the bond between women that can survive against all odds, even as Cristina faces motherhood. It is no coincidence that the working title was Amigas Amigas.” – Corina J. Poore, LatinoLife
Notes on Film
“I filmed it in black and white firstly because the format lends a nostalgic tone, reminiscent of a time that has passed, which is the point of view of the film: Someone who remembers a time in her life she’d rather forget. Secondly, it reminds me of many black and white films that I admire, that have always been honest, sincere, and direct. I want to be part of this family of films, from Tres Tristes Tigres by Raul Ruiz to Permanent Vacation by Jim Jarmusch or Paper Moon by Peter Bogdanovich, John Cassavetes, Andrew Bujalski, Wim Wenders and 25 Watts directors Pablo Stoll and Juan Pablo Rebella are among my many other references.”
– Gonzalo Maza, Director
