How would you react if you learned that your parents were not who you thought? What would you do if you found out that you were not who you thought? This is the situation that fifteen year-old Cristina Quadri (Barbara Lombardo) is thrust into in the 2003 Argentinean film Cautiva, which is based upon a true story. Cristina is your average, middle-class teenaged girl growing up in nineties Argentina. She gets by in school, makes fun of the teachers behind their backs, and smokes in the girls’ room. She has a good relationship with her parents.

But this life is about to be turned upside down. It turns out, Cristina’s parents, the real parents she didn’t even know existed were taken prisoner by the country’s then-ruling military junta years before, and later were “disappeared.” Not only that, but because Cristina’s adoption was done illegally, the families of her biological parents have the right to claim custody of her, and Cristina is torn from the “parents” she has always known and thrust into a new family of strangers.

One of the most endearing things about Cautiva is the humanity it portrays, something that transcends language, culture, and geography. Lombardo turns in a wonderful performance, portraying a hurt but strong girl. She portrays anger and resentment without becoming overly angsty and sadness and bewilderment without becoming angry. One can’t help but to feel sorry for her character’s plight. And I like how little details remind the viewer that the situations endured by Cristina and her family is only one of many.

Similarly, the other characters are shown in a very human light. Dr. Barrenechea comes off not as the archetypal, unfeeling bureaucrat but someone who wants to do the right thing and who cares about the people his decisions affect. One can’t help but to feel sorry for Ana in her grief over her sister or notice that Dr. Bernstein really cares about Cristina.

Relatedly, as someone who often sees moral issues as shades of gray, I like how the movie refuses to take a black and white viewpoint. In fact, it seems to look down on those who have this viewpoint. It takes pains to emphasize that some of the “subversives” were in fact terrorists and not merely non-violent activists. It also points out that not all of the prison workers and police officers were bad people.

At the same time, it is in no way an apologetic film for the military junta and its underlings or a film that strives too much for an artificial balance. That, in my opinion, would be even worse that taking a black and white stance. Cautiva makes sure that you know that many of the “subversives” were non-violent activists or were arrested for unknown reasons. And the movie makes sure you know that the prisoners were brutalized by their captors.

Additionally, for someone whose knowledge of Argentinean history and culture can be summed up with the phrase “Don’t cry for me, Argentina,” this was a very educational movie. Of course, you have the historical lesson. I did know that Argentina had gone through some sort of political upheaval, but I knew nothing of “The Disappeared” or of the appropriated children. There’s also an interesting glimpse into the darker side of American foreign policy.

It’s interesting to see how multi-faceted Argentinean culture is. There’s always a danger for those who are unfamiliar with a culture to stereotype it. Here, we see that, yes, religion does play a big role in Argentinean life, but that doesn’t mean everyone stops every five steps to cross themselves or that there is not swearing and smoking. Even though Argentina is classified as a third-world country, there are plenty of middle-class people. Finally, as with English, the Spanish you hear in the real world isn’t necessarily the Spanish you learn in school.

It’s also interesting to see how similar the United States and Argentina are. For example, Cristina’s bedroom is decorated with posters of teen idols, not unlike what you would see in the United States. And as a political science major, I couldn’t help but to notice that the governments have similar structures and powers.

In closing, Cautiva is an interesting and educational movie. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys foreign movies and anyone interested in history and culture.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older