Camera Obscura (La cámara oscura)

Summary

The setting for this moving film is a colony of Jewish immigrants in Entre Riso Province, Argentina, at the end of the 19th century.  Gertrudis is born an ugly baby, grows into an unattractive child and becomes an almost invisible and insignificant woman. Ignored by all, Gertrudis opens her eyes to the small joys in life and creates her own universe. Years later, when she is married with children and running an idyllic Jewish household, a French photographer passes by and offers to photograph the family. This man, a surrealist artist, is the only one to discover her singular beauty and rich inner life.  Gertrudis begins to "see" herself for the first time. Director María Victoria Menis presents a film that gazes at life through a feminine lens. This gentle film provides a rare opportunity to learn about the Jewish agrarian settlements in 19th century Argentina.

Awards

2009 Nominated Silver Condor - Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards
                                               Best Art Direction (Mejor Dirección de Arte)
                                               Best Costume Design (Mejor Vestuario)
                                               Best Film (Mejor Película)
                                               Best Music (Mejor Música)
                                               Best New Actress (Mejor Revelación Femenina)
                                               Best Screenplay, Adapted (Mejor Guión Adaptado)
                                               Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz de Reparto)

2009 Winner - Pays de Caux International Latin Film Festival, Grand Prize
2009 Winner - International Jewish Film Festival of Uruguay, Best Film
2009 Honorable Mention - Leipzig Argentine Film Festival