The Film Camila

Camila

Camila is an Argentinean film set in the mid 19th century, during the Rosas

regime. The film focuses on the lives of a young girl, Camila, and her Jesuit

priest Ladislao Gutierrez. Camila and Ladisalo fall in love and the film

follows their troubles. Through following the events that happen with Camila

and Ladisalo, the director shows how restrictive and devout followers of Rosas

were and of the resentment against him.

The unjust ways of the Rosas regime were illustrated passively. Instead

of having Rosas a central character issuing orders to be carried out, Rosas was

instead placed in the background of the film. You would see Rosas through the

actions of the church, military, and of the common people. His picture adorned

the towns, everyone was to wear a red ribbon symbolizing their loyalty to Rosas.

His supporters spoke of him proudly while those against him had to hide in

silence. To illustrate the inherent problems of the Rosas era, the director

chose to show the injustices through the ordeals of Camila and Ladislao.

First of all, in everyday life, Rosas demanded public showings of

loyalty. Every citizen had to wear a bright red ribbon symbolizing their faith

in their leader. Slaves, commoners, and even priests had to wear this ribbon.

Through the execution of the bookseller, the tyranny of the Rosas regime is

clear. He will tolerate to questions to his authority or allow anyone with a

dissenting opinion to speak without fear of retribution. At the end of the film

when the two young lovers are captured, Rosas rears his head again. Wishing to

set an example to inspire terror into the masses, he doesn't hold Camilas

execution even with the knowledge that she is pregnant. To further illustrate

this point, the film makes it appear that Rosas is operating directly in

contrast with the blessings of god.

While never specific in