Every year, there are films that play the festival circuit that come out of nowhere and surprise us. This year was no different. While films like “A Star is Born,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and “Roma” grabbed all the headlines coming out of the festivals, films like “The Heiresses” debuted to critical acclaim and should be on your radar.
READ MORE: Quiet, Powerful, Award-Winning Slow Burn ‘The Heiresses’ [Transilvania Review]
In the first trailer for “The Heiresses,” we see why the film was a top choice at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the coveted Golden Bear. The film follows two women who have come from wealthy backgrounds. When one of the women finds herself imprisoned after being convicted of fraud, the other has to find meaning in her life. Starting a local taxi company, Chela meets a younger woman who opens her eyes to a whole different reality.
“The Heiresses” comes from filmmaker Marcelo Martinessi. The Paraguayan director makes his full-length feature film debut here, having previously worked on short films and documentaries. The film stars Ana Brun, Margarita Irún, Ana Ivanova, and Maria Martins.
“The Heiresses” opens on January 16, 2019 at the Film Forum in NYC before expanding in more locations.
Here’s the synopsis:
A fascinating and subtle commentary on Paraguayan society, The Heiresses follows the stories of Chela and Chiquita, both of whom descended from wealthy families in Asunción, and have been together for over 30 years. Recently their financial situation has worsened and they begin selling off their inherited possessions, but when their debts lead to Chiquita being imprisoned on fraud charges, Chela is forced to face a new reality. Driving for the first time in years, she begins to provide a local taxi service to a group of elderly wealthy ladies. As Chela settles into her new life, she encounters the much younger Angy, forging a fresh and invigorating new connection. Chela finally begins to break out of her shell and engage with the world, embarking on her own personal, intimate revolution.