The Heiresses

Chela and Chiquita live in Asunción, Paraguay. They are well-off, but after thirty good years together, they are strapped for cash and must sell of many of their belongings. When Chiquita is put in jailed accused of fraud, the reserved and shy Chela faces her new everyday by starting a taxi service for rich, elderly women. This brings her in touch with Angy, a much younger woman. The Heiresses is a quiet and beautiful film about strong women. Its depiction of lesbian love, in a country where gay relationships is still taboo, is a brave and important move. The film garnered multiple awards at this year’s Berlinale, including a Silver Bear for Best Actress for Ana Brun. A must see!

Marcelo Martinessi (b. 1973) is a director and screenwriter from Paraguay. From 2010 and until the coup d’etat in 2012, he worked as a producer at the first public TV channel in the country. The ensuing political chaos resulted in him making La Voz Perdida, awarded Best Short Film at the Venice film festival in 2016. The Heiresses is his first feature film.