Leonera (2008)

Ξ October 18th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ 2008 |

Fast Download: Leonera (2008)

Any film whose credits include “Baby Wranglers” along with the usual jobs like screenwriter, grip, etc. is worthy of special consideration.
Leonera, you see, is Spanish for a Lion’s Den full of little “cubs” – children born behind bars to women serving time in Argentina’s prisons. But don’t expect some exploitation film with sadistic guards – the kind you might see coming out of Hollywood studios. Here the guards are portrayed as very professional, not saints but definitely not sadists. Director Pablo Trapero filmed on location, with the cooperation of the Argentine penitentiary authorities, and some of the prisoners are playing their real-life roles.
The lack of outright sadism does not mean that this is an easy film. Some will be put off by the occasional nudity, though these prisoners are not about to enter any beauty contests, and even the lovely Martina Gusman is shown heavily pregnant in the showers. Oh yes, the showers. This being a film about women in prison, you will not be surprised at the suggestion of lesbian encounters, some of them loving relationships. Everything has a credible feel, and those “baby wranglers” must have had their hands full: the place is crawling with tiny kids.