Princesas
Encyclopedia
Princesas is a 2005 film
by Spanish director Fernando León de Aranoa
.
The princesas in the film are two prostitutes
: Caye, who is saving for breast implants, and Zulema, who is saving money to send to her family in the Dominican Republic
. The two women ply their trade on the streets of Madrid
.
The film's initial release was in 2005
; it was released in the United States
in August 2006
at the IFC Center
in New York City
and nationally to many digital cable subscribers via IFC OnDemand
.
where Caye (Candela Peña
) goes to Gloria’s Hair Salon which she frequents and discusses everything from life to politics during her off hours with other salon patrons; whom are also her friends. It is immediately discovered that they have a mutual hatred toward the immigrant prostitutes they observe from the salon. This is because some of them (including Caye) are also prostitutes and feel the immigrants take johns (and ultimately business and money) from them.
Caye’s point of view is quickly reversed when she meets Zulema (Micaela Nevárez
), an illegal immigrant prostitute working to send money home to her mother and son Edward she left in the Dominican Republic
. The two quickly develop a strong bond and support each other with everything including shopping, fashion tips and hair styles.
Caye takes Zulema to her mother’s house for dinner, her phone constantly rings but Caye refuses to answer, something her mother is always confused and bothered about. There Zulema quickly volunteers for the job to teach sex education at Caye’s sister’s school, affording her the ability to send a toy truck to her son for his birthday.
Caye is a work at a night club where she meets Manuel. He is a computer programmer and after some talking into, Caye convinces him to go with her. Over coffee, Caye confesses she is a puta (prostitute). Manuel does not believe her and laughs it off and they begin a relationship.
Zulema approaches Caye and tells her about a man who has promised her papers that will legalize her status in Spain and allow her to legally bring her family where they can be together, albeit her profession. Caye is quick to assume a scheme and begs Zulema not to go with him as he will enslave her and her dreams of bringing her family will not come to fruition. Caye’s theory proves true, the man wishes simply to use and never had intentions of actually providing her legal status. After a brutal beating by the man, Zulema goes to the hospital and orders full medical examinations. When Zulema sees the test results, she collapses. Zulema’s collapse in the clinic is the only hint given that the test results are of a negative effect; that Zulema may have been infected with a devastating disease or became pregnant. Actual confirmation of her medical status is left ambiguous as dialogue of exactly what Zulema was infected with or if anything at all, is never heard.
While at the hospital with Zulema, Caye receives a call from a john requesting her services for himself and his friends. Caye informs him of the cost of €50 per person and heads to the cafe where they have arranged to meet. There she runs into Manuel and a group of his co-workers only to realize that it was Manuel and his friends who are requesting her services and learns of Manuel’s presumed infidelity. On the other hand Manuel realizes that when the met, Caye was indeed being serious about her profession, without saying a word to each other, they both understand the predicament and quietly go their separate ways.
Devastated over her newfound situation, Zulema decides to leave Spain and return to her family in the Dominican Republic. With a heartfelt but bittersweet good-bye, Caye gives Zulema an envelope filled with cash and asks her to “go be happy”. That afternoon while having dinner with her family, Caye confesses that Zulema has permanently returned to the Dominican Republic because Zulema was a prostitute and could not further bear the emotional burden of the profession and being away from her son. It is hinted that by confessing for Zulema, Caye is confessing herself to her family. The film concludes with Caye’s cellphone again incessantly ringing, her mom asking her whether she is going to answer or not and Caye simply retorting, “Cojé tú mamá” (you answer it, mom).
, and earned the film a Goya
nomination for Best Original Song.
Spanish Actors Union
Spanish Actors Union
Sundance Film Festival
2005 in film
- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
by Spanish director Fernando León de Aranoa
Fernando León de Aranoa
Fernando León de Aranoa is an award-winning Spanish screenwriter and film director.He was noted for always saying his greatest work wouldn't come from his hands or mind but from his name. A new Fernando Leon of the 21st century would detail this masterpiece...
.
The princesas in the film are two prostitutes
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
: Caye, who is saving for breast implants, and Zulema, who is saving money to send to her family in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. The two women ply their trade on the streets of Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
.
The film's initial release was in 2005
2005 in film
- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
; it was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in August 2006
2006 in film
- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2006...
at the IFC Center
IFC Center
IFC Center is an art house movie theater in Greenwich Village, New York City in the United States of America. It is located at 323 Sixth Avenue, on the former site of the Waverly Theater, which was itself a well known art house movie theater...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and nationally to many digital cable subscribers via IFC OnDemand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
.
Plot
The film begins in SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
where Caye (Candela Peña
Candela Peña
María del Pilar Peña Sánchez, is a Spanish actress.She was the only child of a couple who had a bar in Barcelona. When she was four years old she started to learn dance in the city and after finishing high-school she went to Seville to begin theatre classes there and eventually in Madrid...
) goes to Gloria’s Hair Salon which she frequents and discusses everything from life to politics during her off hours with other salon patrons; whom are also her friends. It is immediately discovered that they have a mutual hatred toward the immigrant prostitutes they observe from the salon. This is because some of them (including Caye) are also prostitutes and feel the immigrants take johns (and ultimately business and money) from them.
Caye’s point of view is quickly reversed when she meets Zulema (Micaela Nevárez
Micaela Nevárez
Micaela Nevárez is a Puerto Rican actress who has appeared in independent and European films. She made her film debut in the Spanish film Princesas which was directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, in which she played Zulema, an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic trying to make a living as...
), an illegal immigrant prostitute working to send money home to her mother and son Edward she left in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. The two quickly develop a strong bond and support each other with everything including shopping, fashion tips and hair styles.
Caye takes Zulema to her mother’s house for dinner, her phone constantly rings but Caye refuses to answer, something her mother is always confused and bothered about. There Zulema quickly volunteers for the job to teach sex education at Caye’s sister’s school, affording her the ability to send a toy truck to her son for his birthday.
Caye is a work at a night club where she meets Manuel. He is a computer programmer and after some talking into, Caye convinces him to go with her. Over coffee, Caye confesses she is a puta (prostitute). Manuel does not believe her and laughs it off and they begin a relationship.
Zulema approaches Caye and tells her about a man who has promised her papers that will legalize her status in Spain and allow her to legally bring her family where they can be together, albeit her profession. Caye is quick to assume a scheme and begs Zulema not to go with him as he will enslave her and her dreams of bringing her family will not come to fruition. Caye’s theory proves true, the man wishes simply to use and never had intentions of actually providing her legal status. After a brutal beating by the man, Zulema goes to the hospital and orders full medical examinations. When Zulema sees the test results, she collapses. Zulema’s collapse in the clinic is the only hint given that the test results are of a negative effect; that Zulema may have been infected with a devastating disease or became pregnant. Actual confirmation of her medical status is left ambiguous as dialogue of exactly what Zulema was infected with or if anything at all, is never heard.
While at the hospital with Zulema, Caye receives a call from a john requesting her services for himself and his friends. Caye informs him of the cost of €50 per person and heads to the cafe where they have arranged to meet. There she runs into Manuel and a group of his co-workers only to realize that it was Manuel and his friends who are requesting her services and learns of Manuel’s presumed infidelity. On the other hand Manuel realizes that when the met, Caye was indeed being serious about her profession, without saying a word to each other, they both understand the predicament and quietly go their separate ways.
Devastated over her newfound situation, Zulema decides to leave Spain and return to her family in the Dominican Republic. With a heartfelt but bittersweet good-bye, Caye gives Zulema an envelope filled with cash and asks her to “go be happy”. That afternoon while having dinner with her family, Caye confesses that Zulema has permanently returned to the Dominican Republic because Zulema was a prostitute and could not further bear the emotional burden of the profession and being away from her son. It is hinted that by confessing for Zulema, Caye is confessing herself to her family. The film concludes with Caye’s cellphone again incessantly ringing, her mom asking her whether she is going to answer or not and Caye simply retorting, “Cojé tú mamá” (you answer it, mom).
Cast
- Candela PeñaCandela PeñaMaría del Pilar Peña Sánchez, is a Spanish actress.She was the only child of a couple who had a bar in Barcelona. When she was four years old she started to learn dance in the city and after finishing high-school she went to Seville to begin theatre classes there and eventually in Madrid...
— Caye - Micaela NevárezMicaela NevárezMicaela Nevárez is a Puerto Rican actress who has appeared in independent and European films. She made her film debut in the Spanish film Princesas which was directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, in which she played Zulema, an illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic trying to make a living as...
— Zulema - Mariana Cordero — Pilar
- Llum Barrera — Gloria
- Violeta Pérez — Caren
- Mónica Van Campen — Ángela
Soundtrack
"Me Llaman Calle" featured world music artist Manu ChaoManu Chao
Manu Chao , is a French singer of Spanish roots . He sings in French, Spanish, English, Italian, Galician, Arabic and Portuguese and occasionally in other languages...
, and earned the film a Goya
Goya Awards
The Goya Awards, known in Spanish as los Premios Goya, are Spain's main national film awards, considered by many in Spain, and internationally, to be the Spanish equivalent of the American Academy Awards....
nomination for Best Original Song.
Won
Goya AwardsGoya Awards
The Goya Awards, known in Spanish as los Premios Goya, are Spain's main national film awards, considered by many in Spain, and internationally, to be the Spanish equivalent of the American Academy Awards....
- Best ActressGoya Award for Best ActressThe Goya Award for Best Actress is one of the Goya Awards, Spain's principal national film awards....
(Candela Peña) - Best New ActressGoya Award for Best New ActressThe Goya Award for Best New Actor is one of the Goya Awards, Spain's principal national film awards.In the list below the winner of the award for each year is shown first, followed by the other nominees....
(Micaela Nevárez) - Best Original Song (Manu Chao for "Me llaman calle")
Spanish Actors Union
- Best Actor – Minor Role (Luis Callejo)
- Best Actress – Leading Role (Candela Peña)
Nominated
Goya AwardsGoya Awards
The Goya Awards, known in Spanish as los Premios Goya, are Spain's main national film awards, considered by many in Spain, and internationally, to be the Spanish equivalent of the American Academy Awards....
- Best Costume Design (Sabine Daigeler)
- Best Film
- Best Makeup and Hairstyles (Manolo García and Carlos Hernández)
- Best New Actor (Luis Callejo)
- Best Screenplay – Original (Fernando León de Aranoa)
- Best Sound (Polo Aledo, Alfonso Raposo and Miguel Rejas)
Spanish Actors Union
- Best Actress – Minor Role (Mariana Cordero)
- Best Actress – Minor Role (Violeta Pérez)
Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
- Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema – Dramatic (Fernando León de Aranoa)