El castillo

Justina, a Paraguayan emigrant and former governess, inherits a dilapidated castle-manor house in the middle of the Argentinian pampas from her former boss, on the condition that she never leaves. She tries to maintain it with her daughter Alexia, even though they have no money and the former owner's family continue to come on weekends to relax and treat Juliana as their maid. However, the latter dreams of a romance with a prince charming while Alexia wants to become a Formula 4 racing driver, and to do so must return to Buenos Aires to work in a garage.

A fabulous fairy tale which cracks on all sides, but contains all the bucolic imagery specific to the genre: pretty little animals in the large park, huge windows which open onto a breathtaking view, long corridors and huge rooms. And when the magic collapses, what's left is the tender, loving relationship between Justina and her daughter Alexia. Documentary is intertwined with fiction: Alexia and Justina play their own roles and tell their own stories, in their own castle.

A social fable that is at once suave and full of muted violence, served up by a highly polished soundtrack.

LuxBox / France / Natacha Kaganski / natacha@luxboxfilms.com