Rome is the latest film from Alfonso Cuaron, a great filmmaker who is the first Mexican director to ever get an Oscar. He called this film his “most personal” film so far. It might be personal for the Cuaron, but what is clear is that it’s not for me. His expertise in directing is clearly displayed on the screen, we immediately know that this film must have been made by people who are talented from birth or perhaps already have a lot of experience. However, I did not feel the impact of this film as he (I think) he meant. Do I have to go to a psychiatrist?
This film is a semiautobiographical film from Cuaron about his childhood in the 70s in a city called Rome in Mexico. Instead of focusing on his childhood life, Cuaron chose to tell a side that has not been told, about important people who are often forgotten. He gave a tribute to a person who was almost a lifetime nameless, but had greatly contributed to raising him.
It is also interesting to watch films that place more boisterous elements, and are usually more cinematic, in the background, while non-dramatic elements are the main part. From the beginning Cuaron had hinted this through a simple opening scene but had strong impressions. We see planes flying in the sky through reflections of puddles on the floor. The floor was flooded because it was being dipel.
The one who mopped it was Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), one of two assistants who worked for a middle class family consisting of Sofia’s mother (Arina de Tavira), father (Fernando Grediaga), and four small children. Together with his friend, Adela (Nancy Garcia), Cleo diligently and tirelessly takes care of the household, from washing, cooking, caring for children, to cleaning the floor from dog poop which is like never ending.