The Maid by Sebastián Silva

The Maid (La Nana) is the second film by Sebastián Silva and also an invitation to look inside the homes of some Latin American families.

The story is simple: Raquel (Catalina Saavedra) has always worked in the home of the Valdés family, and doesn’t know how to adapt to change or enjoy life again.

This film with Chilean ingredients doesn’t show us a particular reality; it shows normal relationships, also outside of the house. Many complex human conditions are shot: the fear of being old, not wanting to separate from the past, conformity and selfishness.

It all starts with Raquel’s birthday - a perfect moment to describe the situation of belonging and distance. Some strange gifts, a cake, and a perfect song with a look that is suspicious of everything, open the window to knowing more about the protagonist. She has all of her memories stored in her room.

Conflict arises when Raquel is not the same Raquel of previous years. She has lost her special touch and this makes the family question what to do. The film is both a class in the respect and admiration of everybody and a little slice of real life.

Claudio Sánchez Castro