Roma (film)

Roma (film)
Name	Roma
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Alfonso Cuarón
Producer	Alfonso Cuarón
Writer	Alfonso Cuarón
Starring	Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Fernando Grediaga, Marco Graf, Daniela Demesa
Music	(uncredited)
Cinematography	Alfonso Cuarón
Editing	Alfonso Cuarón
Studio	Esperanto Filmoj, Participant Media
Distributor	Netflix, A24
Released	2018
Runtime	135 minutes
Country	Mexico
Language	Spanish, Mixtec

Roma (film) is a 2018 Mexican drama written, directed, photographed, and edited by Alfonso Cuarón. The film is a semi-autobiographical portrait set in early 1970s Mexico City, following the life of a domestic worker and the family she serves amid social, political, and personal upheaval. Shot in black-and-white with meticulous long takes, the film interweaves intimate domestic scenes with historical events to explore class, ethnicity, and memory.

Plot

The narrative centers on Cleo, a Mixtec domestic worker employed by a middle-class family living in the Colonia Roma neighborhood during the administration of Luis Echeverría Álvarez and the tense aftermath of the Corpus Christi Massacre era. The story opens with everyday routines in a two-story house, foregrounding relationships among Cleo, her employer Sofia, Sofia's husband Antonio, and their four children, including Pepe and Sofi. As Cleo navigates pregnancy and abandonment by her partner Fermín, domestic tensions escalate when Antonio departs for work and becomes involved with labor disputes connected to the Mexican Student Movement of 1968's lingering repression. A domestic crisis—Sofia's marital breakdown and subsequent hospitalization—coincides with public disturbances visible in the city: street demonstrations, police actions, and the sight of the Volkswagen Beetle-filled avenues. The climax converges when Cleo rescues the children during a seaside outing amid a traumatic maritime incident, echoing motifs from Cuarón's childhood and resonant with the broader climate shaped by figures like Luis Echeverría Álvarez and institutions such as the Secretariat of Public Security (Mexico).

Cast and characters

The film features a mix of professional and non-professional actors. Yalitza Aparicio portrays Cleo, a Mixtec woman whose presence anchors the plot; her performance garnered attention from organizations including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Marina de Tavira appears as Sofia, the matriarch juggling familial obligations amid marital strain; her role connects to Mexican theatrical traditions such as those of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Supporting roles include Fernando Grediaga as Antonio and Marco Graf as Fermín, while Daniela Demesa and other child actors depict the family's children. The ensemble reflects Mexico City's diverse populace, from indigenous Mixtec laborers to middle-class professionals associated with corporations like Telmex and civic institutions like the National Institute of Fine Arts (Mexico).

Production

Production was led by Alfonso Cuarón through Esperanto Filmoj with executive involvement from entities such as Participant Media and distribution partners including Netflix. Principal photography was conducted on location in the Colonia Roma district, with Cuarón serving as director of photography, employing black-and-white 65mm cinematography and long takes influenced by the work of filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman, Roberto Rossellini, and Andrei Tarkovsky. The production recreated period detail referencing artifacts such as early Volkswagen models and period signage of companies like Pemex; costume and set design drew upon archival material from institutions including the National Archive of Mexico. Casting emphasized authenticity, leading to the selection of non-professional actors from Oaxaca and Mexico City communities, and the use of Mixtec language segments treated with collaboration from indigenous cultural organizations.

Release and distribution

After premiering at the Venice Film Festival where it competed for the Golden Lion, the film secured distribution through Netflix as well as limited theatrical release arranged by A24 in the United States. It screened at festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, followed by a staggered release strategy balancing streaming on Netflix with qualifying runs for awards bodies such as the Academy Awards and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The release provoked discussion about the role of streaming platforms in awards eligibility, engaging institutions like the Motion Picture Association of America and exhibitors represented by the National Association of Theatre Owners.

Reception

Critics widely praised the film for its cinematography, direction, and social sensitivity, drawing comparisons to the work of directors such as Yasujiro Ozu and Ken Loach. Major publications and critics from outlets referencing the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian highlighted Cuarón's composition and the film's political subtext related to Mexico's 20th-century history. The film generated discourse among cultural organizations, indigenous rights advocates, and film scholars at universities including the University of California, Los Angeles and the National Autonomous University of Mexico regarding representation of Mixtec characters. Some theater chains and film critics debated streaming models, prompting commentary from entities like The Hollywood Reporter and the British Film Institute.

Accolades

The film received numerous awards and nominations from major institutions. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and earned multiple nominations and wins at the Academy Awards, including honors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for categories such as Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director. It also received recognition from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and awards from critics' organizations including the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle. The film's achievements sparked discussions at ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the César Awards about global streaming distribution and national cinema identity.

Category:2018 films Category:Mexican films Category:Black-and-white films Category:Films directed by Alfonso Cuarón