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The Chambermaid
Lila Avilés provides an engaging, behind-closed-doors look at the working environment of a chambermaid in one of Mexico City’s most luxurious hotels.
Director: Lila Avilés
Overview
Eve is a conscientious maid with a broad smile and kind demeanour. Punctual and enterprising, paying close attention to the details that make a premier hotel so rewarding a stay, she hopes her impeccable professionalism will bring her promotion to Hotel Presidente’s exclusive penthouse floor. She records her day-to-day activities, from ensuring rooms are immaculately presented each morning and liaising with her colleagues and hotel maintenance staff to attending a literacy class that will help her chances of promotion.
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 filmmaking.
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