"Princesas" is a movie written and directed by Fernando León de Aranoa. Aranoa is a Spanish film director and screenwriter. "Princesas" came out in 2005 and is a film about two prostitutes in Madrid, the two girls were rivals but soon become friends. Caye is a Spanish native and Zuelma is from the Dominican Republic. Caye is hiding her profession from her family and friends, meanwhile, Zulema is trying to send money back home to her son. The two become friends. Zulema meets a man who beats her but promises to give her papers and allow her family to move to Spain. Caye begs Zulema not to go, the man was lying and lures Zulema to a hotel room where he beats and presumably rapes her. Zulema eventually goes to the hospital for a checkup, which she has not done in a while, while there she receives news that she has a fatal condition; I am assuming it is AIDS or HIV. After this devastating news, she goes to get revenge on her abuser. The movie ends with Zulema returning home and Caye being visibly upset about losing her friend.
I think this movie does a great job of representing the struggles women have to face to get by. I enjoy that this movie highlights friendship in a field of work that is heartbreaking. The friendship between Caye and Zulema is beautiful and inspiring. They have each other's back no matter what. It does not romanticize the idea of prostitution like some movies tend to, such as "Pretty Woman". Instead of depicting the life of prostitution as an extravagant, fun, carefree life, it gives you the raw truth of what comes from doing this line of work, such as Zulema's diagnosis with a terminal condition, which I respect. "Princesas" is a beautiful movie that highlights friendship, love, and family. It is not an easy and light-hearted watch, it is a strong and heavy movie, but I definitely recommend watching it. It really gets you thinking about this lifestyle and about how many women have to turn to this lifestyle in order to get by, it is a sad but real truth.
-Kenzie K.
I think this movie does a great job of representing the struggles women have to face to get by. I enjoy that this movie highlights friendship in a field of work that is heartbreaking. The friendship between Caye and Zulema is beautiful and inspiring. They have each other's back no matter what. It does not romanticize the idea of prostitution like some movies tend to, such as "Pretty Woman". Instead of depicting the life of prostitution as an extravagant, fun, carefree life, it gives you the raw truth of what comes from doing this line of work, such as Zulema's diagnosis with a terminal condition, which I respect. "Princesas" is a beautiful movie that highlights friendship, love, and family. It is not an easy and light-hearted watch, it is a strong and heavy movie, but I definitely recommend watching it. It really gets you thinking about this lifestyle and about how many women have to turn to this lifestyle in order to get by, it is a sad but real truth.
-Kenzie K.