Peru on Top

The Berlin Film Festival recently awarded its Golden Bear to Peruvian director Claudia Llosa’s Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada), the magic-realism-tinged story of women suffering the effects of the battle between Peru's government and Shining Path terrorists.

The film was the first Peruvian entry ever in the 59-year history of the Berlinale.

“This is for Peru, this is for our country,” Llosa said, holding the trophy aloft, with her lead actress, Magaly Solier, by her side.

Solier also gave an emotional speech at the awards ceremony, dedicating the award to all women, to the women of Peru and the world, encouraging them not to be afraid, to say what they feel, and to be more like her character, Fausta.

She then switched to Quechua, Peru’s second official language, and sang part of a song that speaks to the plot of the film (I hope you speak Spanish…because I ain’t translatin’):

“Cuando era pequeñita me caí, y mi mano me rompí, y ahí me cantaste /
Cantemos, cantemos, lo que es hermoso cantemos /
Nuestro dolor escondamos para olvidarlo Mamita, cántame Mamita.”

See you at the Oscars next year, La Teta Asustada!

Photo: LaTetaAsustada.com.