Review of Princesses (2005) by Kendra B — 24 May 2007

And interesting theme the prostitution, and let us know that the prostitutes have fellings, and troubles unimaginable, many people think that the live of those kind of girls is the easy live... I think is the oposite.

PRINCESAS, the moving story of two young prostitutes in Madrid who find hope in one another?s friendship. The latest film from acclaimed Spanish director Fernando Léon de Aranoa (FAMILIA, MONDAYS IN THE SUN, BARRIO), PRINCESAS will open in New York on Wednesday, August 23 at the IFC Center, followed by a national roll-out.

Caye (Candela Peña of ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER and TAKE MY EYES) comes from a middle-class family unaware of her life as a prostitute. She and the other "Spanish" hookers hang out in a hair salon, complaining about cheaper immigrant putas stealing their business. One of them is Zulema (New York-based actress Micaela Nevárez), a striking woman from the Dominican Republic, who works the streets to support a young son back home. When Zulema is badly beaten, Caye takes her to a hospital and becomes a kind of guardian angel to her. Both are isolated from their families ? Zulema by distance, Caye by shame. Both pin their dreams on money or idealized relationships. And both begin to see each other as the only thing solid enough to hold onto.

As he follows these tough, complicated women along the daily tightrope of their lives, writer-director Fernando León de Aranoa sidesteps cliché and sentimentality to tell a realistic and sharply observed story of prostitution. But, above all, it is a story of friendship. By turns sobering and humorous, its humanity is further graced by the sensitive performances of its two lead actresses, both of whom won 2006 Goya awards (Spanish Oscars) for their roles. Renowned musician Manu Chau was also awarded a Goya for the film?s music.