Manuela

Description
Reviews
Citation
Cataloging
Transcript

The complexities of migration, motherhood, and socioeconomic disparity are explored through the story of Manuela, a Latin American immigrant navigating the alienating urban landscape of Los Angeles. As she searches for employment, she secures a job as a nanny for Alma, the daughter of a distant and perpetually absent businesswoman, Ellen.

The film uses the growing intimacy between Manuela and Alma to interrogate themes of displacement, both physical and emotional. The poolside setting and domestic labor draw attention to the intersections of race, class, and gender, while Manuela’s increasing assumption of maternal duties, symbolized by her wearing Ellen’s clothes, blurs the boundaries between servant and mother figure.

Ellen’s prolonged absence complicates this dynamic further, raising questions about the commodification of care in affluent households and the emotional labor expected of immigrant women.

"'Manuela' deals with the built-in alienation and foibles of an L.A. nanny’s life as she builds a strong bond with her young charge, meanwhile missing her own child — an occupational hazard. It’s a filmic film, with a naturalistic shooting style and a sense of improvisation, not purely for art’s sake, but for the sake of making the surrogate mother/child relationship feel all the more real." — Josef Woodard, Santa Barbara Independent

"'Manuela', a Latin film that shows the various maternal relationships." — Leila Medina, CNN

Citation

Select a citation style:

Main credits

Cullen, Clara (film director)
Cullen, Clara (screenwriter)
Martel Seward, Helena (film producer)
Lombardo, Bárbara (actor)
Farago, Alma (actor)
Buhai, Sophie (actor)

Other credits

Cinematography, Gillian Garcia; editing, Valeria Racioppi, Lauren Cabanas; music, Aska Matsumiya.

MARC Record See Worldcat record

Keywords

Manuela,Clara Cullen,Barbara Lombardo,Alma Farago,Sophie Buhai,drama,Argentina,USA,Mexico,México,Los Angeles,maternity,bond,women,woman,motherhood,mother,nanny,migration,job,work,immigrant,family,motherly role,women,womanhood,gender,girl,girlhood,mother,motherhood,female,cis woman,cis female,trans woman,trans female,women’s rights,women’s issues,lady,ladies,gentlewoman,madame,miss,missus,mrs.,dame,damsel,ingenue,lass,maid,maiden,belle,gal,ladyfriend,girlfriend,dear,darling,widow,matron,dowager,gender,gender equality,gender pay gap,women’s liberation,women’s rights,family,kin,fellowship,household,immediate family,extended family,multigenerational family,multigenerational household,kinfolk,family tree,genealogy,nuclear family,modern family,family tree,migration studies,migrant studies,immigration studies,refugee studies,diaspora studies,resettlement studies,settlement studies,migration,migrant,immigration,refugee,diaspora,resettlement,settlement,refugees,international migration,continental migration,resettling,settlers,settler,migrant,migrant studies,first generation immigrant,first generation immigration,new americans,new spaniards,labor studies,employment studies,workers rights,workers’ rights,organizing,labor unions,trade unions,unions,industry,employment law,working class,labor rights,labor equity,employment,union organizing,labor organizing,labor rights movements,employment rights movements,workers’ rights movement,workers rights movements,economics,social class,money,capital,capitalism,class,economy,prejudice,intersectionality,inequality,poverty,income gap,wage gap,class warfare,elitism,snobbery,bourgeois,poverty,upper class,middle class,lower class,nouveau riche,north america,america,us,usa,united states,united states of america,us mexico and canada,map of north america,north american countries,states of north america,provinces of north america,countries of north america,continental america,latin american studies,caribbean american studies,island studies,latin american culture,latin american history,latin american politics, caribbean american culture,caribbean american history,caribbean american politics, latin american languages,latin american and caribbean studies,hispanic american studies,hispanic people,hispanic culture,hispanic politics,south america,south american countries,countries in south america,argentina,bolivia,brazil,chile,colombia,ecuador,guyana,paraguay,peru,suriname,uruguay,venezuela,south american politics,south american culture,south american cuisine,south american education,south america in media,south american languages,south america history; "Manuela"; Pragda Films

WEBVTT

00:01:37.333 --> 00:01:40.291
Six months earlier

00:02:14.291 --> 00:02:16.208
I\'m not hiring right now.

00:02:16.208 --> 00:02:18.041
You\'re not?

00:02:18.041 --> 00:02:19.666
Okay, thank you.

00:02:19.666 --> 00:02:21.375
You are welcome.

00:02:24.166 --> 00:02:27.333
For the moment we don’t need anybody but

00:02:27.333 --> 00:02:30.416
maybe next week there’s an opening and

00:02:30.416 --> 00:02:32.583
I’ll speak to the boss

00:03:28.458 --> 00:03:31.458
Don\'t worry Ali, I\'ll do it

00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:41.958
I think it\'s ok

00:03:42.083 --> 00:03:43.000
This is fine, right?

00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:43.541
Yes.

00:03:45.791 --> 00:03:48.541
Manuela, I\'m going to bed.

00:03:49.375 --> 00:03:51.833
Good night, God bless you.

00:06:25.458 --> 00:06:26.625
Hello!

00:06:26.625 --> 00:06:27.750
How are you?

00:09:48.375 --> 00:09:50.833
Take this one and this one.

00:09:50.833 --> 00:09:53.375
These are ready. Perfect.

00:09:53.375 --> 00:09:55.958
We’ll let them dry.

00:09:57.666 --> 00:09:59.708
You have to clean your little face too.

00:09:59.708 --> 00:10:00.541
No.

00:10:04.708 --> 00:10:05.666
No.

00:10:05.666 --> 00:10:09.708
Fine, stay all grubby.

00:10:09.708 --> 00:10:10.875
No!

00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:18.708
Let me see, baby.

00:10:20.208 --> 00:10:21.416
No!

00:10:26.458 --> 00:10:27.375
Alma!

00:10:35.541 --> 00:10:41.083
What? To me? What are you doing?

00:10:44.791 --> 00:10:48.125
No. Come on, take that off.

00:10:48.541 --> 00:10:52.291
No, stop it. Stop splashing water at me.

00:10:52.708 --> 00:10:56.250
Stay still, ok? Come on.

00:10:56.250 --> 00:10:57.375
No!

00:11:00.250 --> 00:11:03.166
Ok, stay all grubby.

00:11:03.750 --> 00:11:06.291
Perfect!

00:11:06.291 --> 00:11:10.583
How nice, we’re done.

00:11:14.166 --> 00:11:15.458
Do you want a towel?

00:11:15.458 --> 00:11:16.166
No!

00:11:16.166 --> 00:11:19.500
I don’t need that towel! Dry me!

00:11:57.541 --> 00:11:58.541
What were you looking for?

00:11:58.541 --> 00:12:00.125
A gift for a baby girl.

00:12:00.250 --> 00:12:00.791
Yes.

00:12:00.791 --> 00:12:02.416
How old is she?

00:12:03.333 --> 00:12:04.750
Six months.

00:12:04.750 --> 00:12:08.750
Look this seems nice for a six-month-old baby.

00:12:08.750 --> 00:12:10.000
Whats’s inside?

00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:17.291
A shirt, little pants... a blanket and a little toy.

00:12:36.875 --> 00:12:38.416
Hello, how can I help you?

00:12:38.708 --> 00:12:41.750
I love that one!

00:12:45.666 --> 00:12:47.250
Let’s see...

00:12:55.416 --> 00:12:56.708
It\'s pretty, right?

00:12:56.708 --> 00:12:58.791
Yes it\'s nice. It looks good on you.

00:12:59.625 --> 00:13:01.208
How much is it?

00:13:01.208 --> 00:13:02.291
Ten dollars.

00:13:02.416 --> 00:13:04.291
That\'s it.

00:13:04.833 --> 00:13:06.458
Alright, I’ll take it.

00:13:06.458 --> 00:13:07.500
Okay.

00:13:17.791 --> 00:13:19.000
Who is it?

00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.208
Manuela.

00:13:20.875 --> 00:13:23.666
You can’t come in.

00:13:23.666 --> 00:13:24.541
Oh, I can’t?

00:13:24.541 --> 00:13:25.291
No.

00:13:25.833 --> 00:13:26.708
Alright.

00:13:28.250 --> 00:13:28.916
Ready...

00:13:28.916 --> 00:13:29.791
Do you have bread?

00:13:29.791 --> 00:13:30.958
I don’t.

00:13:30.958 --> 00:13:32.291
Cheese?

00:13:32.291 --> 00:13:33.166
I do have some.

00:13:33.166 --> 00:13:35.208
Great! A little piece of cheese.

00:13:35.208 --> 00:13:36.500
Is this what you want?

00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.500
Great, thank you.

00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:41.416
Red or yellow?

00:13:41.416 --> 00:13:42.333
Red.

00:13:45.583 --> 00:13:48.375
First I need to wash this, ok?

00:13:48.375 --> 00:13:49.375
Ok.

00:13:56.375 --> 00:13:57.541
No.

00:13:57.958 --> 00:13:59.833
Do you want some help?

00:14:00.666 --> 00:14:03.916
Can you please peel this?

00:14:03.916 --> 00:14:04.666
Ok.

00:14:05.041 --> 00:14:11.000
With this knife. You can do this side.

00:14:11.416 --> 00:14:13.541
Be careful. Ok.

00:14:14.708 --> 00:14:17.666
Should I peel it, or will you?
- You.

00:14:19.166 --> 00:14:20.291
Look!

00:14:21.458 --> 00:14:24.541
What is that? Where does that little dress go?

00:14:25.875 --> 00:14:28.583
This one no. This one no.

00:17:53.916 --> 00:17:55.375
Is she sleeping well?

00:17:59.625 --> 00:18:01.666
Does she miss me?

00:18:09.666 --> 00:18:14.083
What about him? Did he show up?

00:18:16.458 --> 00:18:17.708
Hi.

00:18:19.333 --> 00:18:27.083
“They practiced many perversions, and any sinner
who does not repent...”

00:18:27.083 --> 00:18:31.041
“of his sins will be cast into the fires by God,
as it is written here”

00:18:31.041 --> 00:18:40.416
“You must try to fulfill all his commandments, or
damnation will come down on you.”

00:18:40.416 --> 00:18:50.250
“You will be damned in the city and damned in the country
too\"

00:18:50.250 --> 00:18:57.875
\"Through your strength, I will rise\"

00:19:02.916 --> 00:19:04.291
\"Thank you, Lord.\"

00:19:05.083 --> 00:19:11.041
\"You are good and holy, and you have
treated us accordingly to our sins.\"

00:19:13.750 --> 00:19:19.916
\"That is proof that we are dust.
Thank you for standing beside us\"

00:19:20.541 --> 00:19:26.458
\"Through your strength:

00:19:27.875 --> 00:19:31.875
I will rise.\"

00:20:15.416 --> 00:20:16.875
So, do you speak Spanish?

00:20:17.458 --> 00:20:19.125
And where are you from?

00:20:19.125 --> 00:20:20.333
From Bolivia

00:20:20.333 --> 00:20:22.708
From Bolivia? And is everything OK here

00:20:22.708 --> 00:20:25.208
in the house with Ellen and Alma?

00:20:25.958 --> 00:20:27.166
That\'s great!

00:20:27.166 --> 00:20:29.375
No, just a little, so-so.

00:20:29.375 --> 00:20:30.875
OK.
- I have to go. Bye.

00:20:30.875 --> 00:20:32.583
OK, bye.

00:23:50.291 --> 00:23:58.958
This mask goes on like this.

00:25:18.333 --> 00:25:20.166
- Hello Alicia.
- There\'s fresh coffee.

00:25:20.166 --> 00:25:22.416
Thank you. I\'ll tidy up once I\'ve had a cup.

00:25:32.125 --> 00:25:35.375
Hi! Here we are taking a bath.

00:25:35.375 --> 00:25:39.375
She\'s so happy. Look at her smile!

00:26:24.291 --> 00:26:27.291
Oh! All Over the place!

00:26:31.041 --> 00:26:31.875
Here, sit down there.

00:26:38.125 --> 00:26:38.791
Like this?

00:26:38.791 --> 00:26:39.500
Mhm.

00:26:40.833 --> 00:26:43.208
Very good.
- It\'s a lot!

00:26:44.291 --> 00:26:49.375
OK this girl has sprinkles...

00:29:03.083 --> 00:29:07.166
And then you put your foot here...

00:29:07.166 --> 00:29:09.041
And when do we run?

00:29:12.875 --> 00:29:15.375
One, two, three...

00:29:24.375 --> 00:29:25.458
Be careful!

00:29:29.083 --> 00:29:31.458
Oh oh, switch direction!

00:29:42.166 --> 00:29:44.125
Like this and this

00:29:44.125 --> 00:29:46.041
Why?

00:29:46.041 --> 00:29:50.166
I want to do it like this and and this and that.

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.500
Like this!

00:29:52.958 --> 00:29:53.791
No...

00:30:07.541 --> 00:30:08.916
Friend

00:30:09.541 --> 00:30:11.250
A friend?

00:30:11.250 --> 00:30:16.708
Ah, a friend? Yes, I have a friend, her name is Soledad.

00:30:17.291 --> 00:30:20.000
Why?
- That’s her name, Soledad.

00:30:20.750 --> 00:30:23.041
Do you have a baby?

00:30:25.416 --> 00:30:27.208
Do you have a baby?

00:30:27.208 --> 00:30:27.875
Yes.

00:30:34.291 --> 00:30:37.750
What\'s the baby\'s name?
- Carmen.

00:30:37.750 --> 00:30:40.833
Camen? Carmen!

00:30:43.583 --> 00:30:46.791
You scared me! Come on, sit like this.

00:30:46.791 --> 00:30:48.958
There you go.
- No!

00:30:50.708 --> 00:30:51.791
That\'s it.

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.750
How\'s Carmen?

00:31:21.083 --> 00:31:22.500
Did you get the money?

00:31:27.041 --> 00:31:28.750
Send me some pictures when you can.

00:31:33.083 --> 00:31:34.458
Yes, yes. Kisses.

00:33:04.083 --> 00:33:08.041
\"How it hurts me\"

00:33:24.666 --> 00:33:29.333
\"I know that you have,
A new love\"

00:33:30.250 --> 00:33:34.458
\"Nevertheless
I wish you all the best.\"

00:35:21.375 --> 00:35:23.500
No! Open the bag!

00:35:25.083 --> 00:35:29.125
Put this in.
- Okay

00:36:41.416 --> 00:36:44.250
Almi? Take a look.

00:37:20.708 --> 00:37:21.458
Let\'s see this one.

00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:24.333
Should I try it on you?

00:37:47.208 --> 00:37:48.208
Do you like it?

00:38:41.458 --> 00:38:42.375
Let me see.

00:38:48.750 --> 00:38:49.916
Stop it!

00:38:54.083 --> 00:38:56.083
Now do this one.
- OK. Be careful.

00:38:59.916 --> 00:39:00.750
Now do this one.

00:40:59.291 --> 00:41:02.041
We’re going to have to change your t-shirt.

00:41:02.041 --> 00:41:03.125
No!

00:44:26.416 --> 00:44:27.083
There you go.

00:44:46.833 --> 00:44:47.958
Do you want to blow?

00:44:54.458 --> 00:44:55.750
Do you want it on?

00:45:10.791 --> 00:45:15.125
Hi honey! How are you?
- I\'m good, you?

00:45:16.375 --> 00:45:21.375
Great! So how are you?
- We\'re fine...

00:45:21.541 --> 00:45:24.916
Good, I was taking a break so I wanted to call you guys.

00:45:28.500 --> 00:45:30.041
How\'s everything going?

00:45:30.666 --> 00:45:36.541
It\'s fine Mom. I\'m just working a lot but,
I feel good here.

00:45:37.708 --> 00:45:39.083
You look really tired.

00:45:40.541 --> 00:45:44.000
Yes. My boss isn\'t here so it\'s less stressful.

00:45:45.458 --> 00:45:47.708
Oh, okay.
- Where\'s Carmen?

00:45:49.416 --> 00:45:50.458
She\'s sleeping.

00:45:52.875 --> 00:45:54.166
Can you wake her up?

00:45:55.583 --> 00:46:00.208
No. We went to the park today and she\'s worn out.
It\'s late here.

00:46:01.333 --> 00:46:03.875
Our schedules don\'t really match

00:46:07.125 --> 00:46:11.625
I\'ll call you another day. I\'ll make sure she\'s up.

00:46:11.625 --> 00:46:13.166
Don\'t worry.

00:46:14.125 --> 00:46:14.750
Okay Mom.

00:46:18.041 --> 00:46:23.625
Alright, I\'ll talk to you later then.
- OK, I love you, kisses

00:46:23.875 --> 00:46:24.958
I love you too. Bye.

00:46:26.708 --> 00:46:27.125
Bye

00:46:43.083 --> 00:46:44.583
I\'m so scared!

00:46:53.750 --> 00:46:54.875
No!

00:47:46.875 --> 00:48:00.166
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven...
I’m coming!

00:50:18.041 --> 00:50:20.791
Which would you rather have? The choo-choo train or a plane?

00:50:21.583 --> 00:50:23.958
The choo-choo train and the plane

00:50:33.250 --> 00:50:35.833
We\'ll ask the ice cream man for another one.

00:50:43.083 --> 00:50:44.125
Where are you going?

00:50:49.541 --> 00:50:50.583
Be careful.

00:50:53.458 --> 00:50:55.375
No, stop. There are cars

00:51:02.791 --> 00:51:05.416
We have to get the tickets! Come here.

00:51:33.041 --> 00:51:34.333
We\'re here.

00:52:16.625 --> 00:52:17.375
Oh! My baby!

00:52:34.833 --> 00:52:37.875
Why are the firefighters there?
- I don\'t know

00:52:38.125 --> 00:52:40.458
There must be a fire somewhere nearby.

00:52:41.875 --> 00:52:43.958
It goes boom boom boom.
- Yes, boom boom.

00:55:03.416 --> 00:55:08.000
\"Your work deeply moves my heart...\"

00:55:27.083 --> 00:55:28.708
Very good!

00:55:34.791 --> 00:55:36.291
Put your chin up, like this

00:55:38.208 --> 00:55:39.208
Good job!

00:57:16.000 --> 00:57:17.125
Oh god!

00:57:55.083 --> 00:57:55.875
Let\'s see.

00:57:58.083 --> 00:57:58.750
Here.

00:58:05.875 --> 00:58:07.875
Hand me that one. Thank you honey.

00:58:19.750 --> 00:58:23.875
Wow! Did you learn that in Karate? Or in dance class?

00:58:25.000 --> 00:58:26.125
In dance class.

00:58:29.125 --> 00:58:30.458
You are amazing!

01:05:26.333 --> 01:05:29.166
Alma? Alma!

01:05:32.375 --> 01:05:35.833
Let\'s go Almi. Come on. Hurry up.

01:05:49.708 --> 01:05:50.791
Be good.

01:05:59.041 --> 01:06:01.333
Candy! Candy!

01:06:01.333 --> 01:06:03.125
Come on, settle down.

01:06:13.250 --> 01:06:16.000
I\'ll give you the last one, just keep walking calmly.

01:06:16.000 --> 01:06:17.708
I want one more!

01:06:27.125 --> 01:06:28.458
Last one.