The Maid (2009 film)


The Maid is a 2009 Chilean comedy-drama film, directed by Sebastián Silva and co-written by Silva and Pedro Peirano. It has won numerous awards since its premiere at the 25th Annual Sundance Film Festival. The film has had much critical acclaim, particularly for Catalina Saavedra's award-winning performance as the lead character.
WWW themaidmovie.com

Plot synopsis

For over 23 years, Raquel has worked as the maid for the Valdes family. She shows utmost loyalty and respect to her employers, Pilar and Edmundo. Raquel gets along well with their teenage son, Lucas, but often clashes with their headstrong daughter, Camila.
When Raquel begins to suffer from dizzy spells caused by her excessive use of chlorine for household cleaning, Pilar decides to hire additional maids to assist Raquel with her daily chores. However, Raquel fiercely guards her territory and resents the newcomers, engaging in a series of increasingly desperate attempts to drive them away. This includes the younger maid, Lucy, as Raquel tries to maintain her position in the household.

Cast

Reception

Critical reception

Critics have responded very positively to the film. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a 93% approval rating, based on 75 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Catalina Saavedra's devastating performance would be reason enough to see The Maid but Sebastian Silva's empathetic direction and finely tuned script only add to the movie's pleasing heft." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Film critic David Parkinson called it "an exceptional study of the emotional investment that domestics make in the families they serve. Saavedra is mesmerizing as she shifts from subservient to scheming." Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert described the film as a "unpredictable, naturalistic gem."

Accolades

According to the National Board of Review, The Maid was one of 2009's five best Best Foreign-Language Films; also, it was nominated for the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards consideration honoring 2009 achievements for the same category, and "AyAyAyAy" was one of the 63 songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures contending for nominations in the Original Song category for the 82nd Academy Awards.
Despite the film's great success, the film was not chosen as Chile's submission to the 82nd Academy Awards. Instead, Miguel Littín's Dawson Isla 10 was sent, but the film didn't make the short-list.
YearEventRecipientAwardResult
2009Cartagena Film FestivalSebastián SilvaCritics Award - Best FilmWon
2009Cartagena Film FestivalCatalina SaavedraGolden India Catalina - Best ActressWon
2009Cartagena Film FestivalSebastián SilvaGolden India Catalina - Best FilmNomitated
2009Gotham Film AwardsGregorio González
Sebastián Silva 		Best FeatureNomitated
2009Gotham Film AwardsCatalina SaavedraBreakthrough Actor/ActressWon
2009Off Plus Camera Film Festival PolandGregorio González
Sebastián Silva 		Cracow Film Award Won
2009Sarasota Film FestivalGregorio González
Sebastián Silva 		Best Narrative FilmWon
2009Fribourg International Film FestivalSebastián Silva Talent Tape AwardWon
2009Paris Cinema International Film FestivalSebastián Silva Audience AwardWon
2009Taipei Film FestivalSebastián Silva Special Mention New Talent Competition
3rd Audience Award		Won
2009Latin American Film FestivalSebastián Silva Critics AwardWon
2009Latin American Film FestivalSebastián Silva Elcine First Prize - Best FilmWon
2009Sundance Film Festival AwardsSebastián Silva Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema - DramaticWon
2009Sundance Film Festival AwardsCatalina SaavedraSpecial Jury Prize : World Cinema - DramaticWon
2009Satellite Awards 2009Catalina SaavedraBest Actress – Motion Picture DramaNomitated
2009Satellite Awards 2009Sebastián Silva Best Foreign Language FilmWon Tied with Broken Embraces
2010NAACP Image AwardsSebastián Silva Best Foreign Language FilmNomitated
2010Golden Globes AwardsSebastián Silva Best Foreign Language FilmNomitated