Confinement forces us to spend more time at home and prevents us from doing some leisure activities like going to the movies. However, the Internet offers us many options to watch fictional films and documentaries from the sofa. Here we present a selection of 10 proposals that address the issue of care; from mental illness and Alzheimer’s to the role of domestic and care workers or motherhood. Enjoy them!
Domestic and care workers:
Trabajadoras internas del servicio doméstico (2016):
Documentary produced by the Latin American Women’s Network. It tells the story of Lali (Ecuador), Norma (Paraguay) and Marta (Colombia) who work as internal domestic workers in Madrid. Through their stories we understand their fears and frustrations but also their dreams for the future, closely linked to the law enforcement by their contractors.
Que horas ela volta? (translate to Spanish as «Una segunda madre», 2015)
It tells the story of a domestic worker in Sao Paulo and the conflicts generated by the visit of her daughter in the house of her contractors. The presence of the young woman will endanger the balance of the house and the family.
Cuidar entre terres: (2019)
Catalan documentary made by six women. It analyzes the transnational care schemes and the relations between countries of the North and the global South. “Cuidar entre terres” gives voice to migrant domestic workers who take on care tasks and analyzes the causes of their migrations, related to the extractive “development” model imposed in Latin America.
Intouchables: (translate to Spanish as «Intocable», 2011)
Story inspired by the life of Count Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, a quadriplegic since 1993 due to a paragliding accident, and his relationship with Abdel Yasmin Sellou, an immigrant with a criminal record who entered his service as a home assistant.
Alzheimer:
El olivo (2016):
Alma is 20 years old and adores her grandfather, a man who has not spoken for years. When the old man also refuses to eat, the girl decides to recover the ancient tree that the family sold against his will. But for this, she needs the help of her uncle, a victim of the crisis, her friend Rafa and all her neighbors. The problem is knowing where in Europe the olive tree is.
El hijo de la novia (2001):
Rafael dedicates 24 hours a day to his restaurant, he is divorced, he sees his daughter ocassionally, he has no friends and he avoids committing himself to his girlfriend. In addition, for a long time he has not visited his mother, hospitalized in a nursing home because she suffers from Alzheimer’s. A series of unexpected events force him to rethink his life. Among them, his father’s intention to fulfill his mother’s old dream: to marry for the Church.
La música és vida (2018):
The documentary “La música és vida” explains the experience for months of some high school students from Sabadell who do their research work about what effects music can have on Alzheimer’s patients. The students have been advised and supervised in their work for the Fundación Pasqual Maragall, dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease research.
Bicicleta, cullera, poma (2010):
In the fall of 2007, Pasqual Maragall was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After the initial blow, he and his family start a crusade against the disease, and, from the first moment, this film becomes an exceptional witness. With intelligence, sincerity and good humor, Maragall allows himself to be portrayed together with his family and doctors to record the day-to-day of his personal struggle.
Health:
ma ma (2015):
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Magda (Penélope Cruz), an unemployed teacher, reacts by bringing all her life energy to the surface. Thanks to her bravery and optimism, both she and hers will live unsuspected scenes of humor and delicate happiness.
Las alas de la vida (2006):
Doctor Carlos Cristos, who at 47 is suffering from a terminal illness, calls a film director who is his friend and proposes that he record his struggle to live and die with dignity, without drama, and “if possible with a smile”, accompanying him in the transit between life and death.