Roma (2018 Film)
Roma is a 2018 historical drama film written, produced, and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who also took on the roles of cinematographer and co-editor. The film is a semi-autobiographical reflection of Cuarón's upbringing in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood. The film stars Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, marking Aparicio's acting debut.
Plot and Themes
The narrative of Roma follows Cleo, portrayed by Yalitza Aparicio, a domestic worker for a middle-class family living in the Colonia Roma neighborhood during the early 1970s. It touches on themes of class divide, family dynamics, and social and political unrest in Mexico. The film's introspective lens captures the personal and political upheavals of Mexico during a transformative era.
Production and Reception
Roma is an international co-production between Mexico and the United States. The film premiered on 30 August 2018 at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, where it received the prestigious Golden Lion award. Subsequently, it had a limited theatrical release in the United States on 21 November 2018 before becoming available for streaming on Netflix on 14 December 2018.
The film was lauded critically and received numerous accolades. At the 91st Academy Awards, Roma garnered ten nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for Aparicio, and Best Supporting Actress for de Tavira. Notably, it became the first Mexican entry to win the Best Foreign Language Film award. Roma also made history by winning both Best Cinematography and Best Director awards, with Cuarón achieving this dual recognition in a single night.
Notable Incidents
During its production on 1 November 2016, the film's crew faced a robbery incident. According to the production studio, "two women were hit, five crew members were hospitalized, and cellphones, wallets, and jewelry were stolen" during the attack. This incident occurred when a group of city workers attempted to halt the filming despite the crew reportedly having the necessary permissions.
In April 2018, Netflix acquired the film's distribution rights, ensuring its global reach and accessibility to a broader audience.