The Chambermaid

 
 

Directed by Lila Avilés, Mexico 2018
101 mins. Spanish dialogue with English sub-titles

 
Summary:
 
Eve, a young chambermaid working long, laborious shifts in one of the most luxurious hotels in Mexico City enrolls in the hotel's adult education program to help improve her life. When things don't result as planned, Eve transforms her lonely existence and newfound courage into the necessary strength to face a life outside the shimmering hotel. Avilés' impressive debut profits from a spare script and nuanced direction, while Gabriela Cartol's breakout performance brings charisma and warmth to Eve. With its dry humour and sly observations about class, privilege and exploitation, The Chambermaid is a confident, compelling and deeply resonant piece of film-making.
 
What the Critics say:
 
"A terrifically assured feature debut ... an eerily atmospheric, poignant, disquieting movie about 21st-century luxury and the invisible servant class required to maintain it." (Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian)