The film can be considered a tribute to women because the women in this film face terrible things that no one should have to endure. Raimunda is raped and impregnated by her own father. If this was awful and scarring enough, this occurrence also drives a wedge between her and her other because she thought her mother knew what was happening. So, at a young age she is abused and feels neglected by the two most important people in her life, the two people that should love and her protect her above all, her parents. I think the fact that she also carried the child and raised the child which is her daughter Paula despite the fact that the child was a product of incest and rape, shows that Raimunda has overcome incredibly tormenting events in her life and some how she pulls through and carries on as though things are ok. If I were in her shoes, I would have some serious psychological issues. Then Raimunda's husband, Paco tries to rape her daughter. Again, a person who should love and protect them tries to take advantage of them. Raimunda also has to deal with hiding the death of Paco after her daughter kills him in self defense. Raimunda has overcome so much grief and continued on to lead what appears to be a fairly normal life. She is a good, hardworking woman. She is incredibly strong and I think the tragedies she faces alone really make the resilience of women despite life's obstacles very evident.
In the movie, one superstition they mention how the east wind can make people "mad" or crazy. When Augustina mentions Raimunda's dead mother's spirit that appears to people, Raimunda makes a comment about the east wind making Augustina "mad." Aldo people of the las enfantes village believe that Irene's spirit has stayed behind to look after her senile sister Paula. In general, they believe in a superstitious/supernatural world.
Christa,
ReplyDeleteI agree that most people, if they had gone through all that Raimunda had gone through, would have deep emotional scars and psychological issues.I can't imagine going through any one, let alone all, the things she went through. Raimunda endure the sexual abuse and rape by her father, but then to think her mother wasn't doing anything to stop it had to be devastating. And then Irene spends years wandering why Raimunda was angry with her and had nothing to do with her, only to find out the devastating truth years later.They were truely strong, resourceful women who, despite enduring all they did, picked themselves up by their "boot strapes", leaned on each other and survived!
Christa and Gail,
ReplyDeleteIn deed, the theme of "abused women" is present throughout the entire film. I wonder if maybe the sub-topic of "incest" has been offenssive for any body in the classroom. It is not quite mention in the US so much anymore as it is in the Hispanic World. Mainly, in the rural and poor areas, where children do not have the care and attention they need.
Why do you think Raimunda's mother never did anything to help and help her daughter after she found out the incest had been committed?