Roma (2018 film)

Roma (2018 film)
Name	Roma
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Alfonso Cuarón
Producer	Alfonso Cuarón, Gabriela Rodríguez, Nicolás Celis
Writer	Alfonso Cuarón
Starring	Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira
Cinematography	Alfonso Cuarón
Editing	Alfonso Cuarón, Adam Gough
Studio	Espéranto Filmoj, Participant Media, Pimienta Films
Distributor	Netflix
Released	2018, 08, 30, Venice Film Festival, 2018, 11, 21, United States, 2018, 12, 14, Mexico
Runtime	135 minutes
Country	Mexico, United States
Language	Spanish, Mixtec

Roma (2018 film) is a Mexican-American drama film written, directed, produced, and shot by Alfonso Cuarón. The black-and-white film, set in the early 1970s, is a semi-autobiographical portrait of a middle-class family in the Colonia Roma neighborhood of Mexico City and the indigenous domestic worker who helps raise them. It stars Yalitza Aparicio in her film debut as Cleo, alongside Marina de Tavira, and was produced by Espéranto Filmoj, Participant Media, and Pimienta Films, with distribution by Netflix. Acclaimed for its intimate storytelling and technical mastery, the film won numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards.

Plot

The narrative follows a year in the life of Cleo, a young Mixtec maid working for the family of Sofía in the Colonia Roma district. The family’s stability unravels as Sofía’s husband, Antonio, abandons them, coinciding with Cleo’s own personal crisis after she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend, Fermín. Key events include Cleo witnessing the Corpus Christi massacre during a furniture shopping trip and a near-tragic incident at the beach in Tuxpan. The film culminates with the family, fractured but resilient, finding a new solidarity, underscored by Cleo’s confession of her initial reluctance about her pregnancy.

Cast

* Yalitza Aparicio as Cleodegaria "Cleo" Gutiérrez * Marina de Tavira as Sofía * Fernando Grediaga as Antonio * Jorge Antonio Guerrero as Fermín * José Manuel Guerrero Mendoza as Ramón * Marco Graf as Pepe * Daniela Demesa as Sofi * Carlos Peralta as Toño * Diego Cortina Autrey as Paco * Nancy García as Adela * Verónica García as Teresa * Andy Cortés as Ignacio * The cast also includes several non-professional actors, with many of the children’s roles played by first-time performers.

Production

Alfonso Cuarón began developing the project in 2006, drawing heavily on memories of his childhood and the domestic worker who helped raise him. Principal photography commenced in late 2016 across more than 100 locations in Mexico City, including the director’s former family home. Cuarón served as his own cinematographer after Emmanuel Lubezki was unavailable, shooting in 65mm digital black-and-white. The production meticulously recreated the period’s aesthetic, from the architecture of Colonia Roma to the sounds of the city, with extensive work by production designer Eugenio Caballero. Post-production, including editing by Cuarón and Adam Gough, took over a year.

Themes and analysis

The film is a profound exploration of class, race, and social hierarchy in 1970s Mexico, contrasting the lives of the bourgeois family with the indigenous domestic workers. It examines themes of abandonment, motherhood, and quiet resilience against a backdrop of political turmoil, notably referencing the Corpus Christi massacre of 1971. Scholars have analyzed its depiction of post-revolutionary national identity and the invisible labor of women. The use of long, fluid takes and a deep-focus aesthetic creates an immersive, observational style that emphasizes the dignity of its subjects.

Release and reception

The film had its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2018, where it won the Golden Lion. Its theatrical release began in November 2018, followed by streaming on Netflix in December. It received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for Cuarón’s direction, the performances of Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, its cinematography, and emotional depth. Major reviews came from publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Variety. It sparked significant discourse on streaming platforms versus traditional cinema, as Netflix mounted an extensive awards campaign.

Accolades

The film received over 200 awards and 280 nominations. At the 91st Academy Awards, it won for Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Foreign Language Film, and was nominated for seven others, including Best Picture. It won the BAFTA Award for Best Film and the Golden Lion at Venice. Yalitza Aparicio earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The film also won five Ariel Awards, including Best Picture.

Category:2018 films Category:Mexican drama films Category:American drama films Category:Netflix original films