“THE QUIET MAID” – RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL LONDON 2024 (92 mins) in association with Calladita films and others.
INTELLIGENTLY EXAMINING CLASS TENSIONS AND UNFAIRNESS “RESCUED” BY SATIRE
This film brings to mind all kinds of conflicating episodes, feelings and behaviours which may echo with many a viewer. Poor Ana (Paula Grimaldo) is a Columbian housekeeper in the Costa Brava trying to fund a close relative’s aspirations to become a doctor while she is underpaid and witnessing spoilt bourgeois people who though speaking the same language, have nothing else in common with her at all.
Directed, written and produced by up and coming Miguel Faus, the film has excited interest in festivals in The States and attracted big names across the pond, including Steven Soderburgh aiding in post production. Miguel mentioned that film making is a place where you find fears, stress and challenges and after managing to attract over 600 “crazy heroes” who helped in funding “The Quiet Maid” it felt like “closing a circle”. Dealing with rejection at an early stage is also something many filmmakers experience but you just have to pursue your project and find ways of making the films you want to make. Miguel studied at the London Film School and would not give up on his project
which is a good thing as this is a valuable observation of a domestically based scenario and also shows up the behaviour of testosterone fuelled young men who should definitely have known better in what is essentially – start to finish – Ana’s story. General insensitivity is a theme running through the plot.
But no more spoilers now! You can view more about Miguel Faus on Instagram. He aimed to make an ultimately upbeat story but acknowledges the injection of cruelty into a story gives it gravitas, meaning and veracity.
The theme of a subtext of water being involved in the film – including cleaning windows, a swimming pool, and the sea communicates that the sea in particular portrays an “image of freedom.” There’s a few adventures for the star character Ana and ultimately I feel the audience is rooting for her big time. The theme of art is embraced also so there are several sub plots featuring throughout, so boredom is not an option.
Amongst the stars are also Ariadna Gil – Andrea, and Luis Bermejo as Pedro, and many other talented thespians.
Look up films and events featuring in the festival online – core dates are 18-28 June in Central London and also The Genesis Cinema in Bethnal Green :- at raindance.org.. There’s lots of fun to be had!
Cheers
Penny Nair Price