Leonera

I found the editing and pacing to not be very good, or, rather, at odds with what the content of the film was emphasizing and expounding upon. Otherwise it's a film that offers a decent view of the frustrations created by a conflicted and slow moving justice system and one that effectively evokes emotional moments without resorting to cheap tricks. A very good lead performance helps with that as well.

A prison film with a unique point of view. Amazing (Oscar-worthy) central performance by Martina Gusman, whose 4 years behind bars give her the scope to portray every emotion you can think of. Her husband Trapero, behind the camera, gets up close and personal with a handheld documentary style that fits perfectly. The film maturely and objectively debates the moral issue of children who are born to women in prisons. Despite the subject, it never feels long, and the ending is utterly gripping!

Technically - very professional but never flashy. Plot runs solely on the concept of the innocent kid growing up in not so child-friendly environment - prison. Trapero avoids any pathos, he doesn't judge or justify the characters. The simple story flows on its own. Although beautifully directed and led by the world class performance by Martina Gusman, "Leonera" isn't a crowd pleaser or groundbreaking film. It is sophisticated and solid drama that should be noticed by arthouse audiences.

"The film's only value may be to make foreign viewers aware, at the very simplest level, of the unique practices of the Argentinean penal system." - Andrew Schenker