This indeed was a powerful film concerning the revolution. The despair which comes with a military regime was more poignant than previous films probably because of the close interaction of mother and child. You truly felt the fear/hopelessness in Alicia's ever changing questions in her quest to find out about Gaby's first days.
In the beginning of the film Alicia was very stoic about her teaching of history. She very firmly states, "study history and you learn about the world". For some reason that phrase stuck with me. But as she became more informed about her changing world she was filled with more questions and hopelessness.
Her hope was a world filled with the love of a child she thought she would never know given her barren condition. She had a loving husband who provided her with a life of privilege. She was able to balance family lift , teaching and "girl time".
As the military influence began to touch more aspects of her hope, more questions arose. First it was her students challenging her beliefs, then her best friend Ana purging herself of her experience with the military coup. It was as if blinders were slowly removed from Alicia's eyes as she sought answers concerning Gaby's arrival. She felt and seen the pain of the family members of those missing. Then she allows her personnel pain of her abandonment come to light.
History repeated itself when Alicia placed Gaby at the home of her grandparents. Her husband, unmoved by the thought of their absent daughter, refused to fill in the blanks of her questions. She leaves.
It's difficult to believe Alicia abandoned her child knowing how her painful childhood robbed her of a mother's bond. I suppose she couldn't accept how Gaby came to her so it was easier for her to leave and let her husband raise her. What a strong way to refuse her husband's way of giving her a child.
The wounds of war are truly deeper than those seen on the surface.
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I'm not sure that Alicia left Gaby. I think she was teaching Roberto a lesson. Then he being a macho man beat her for it.Roberto loved Gaby to thats why it hurt him and he acted out of anger. I hope that Alicia left him. As far as Gaby goes I don't think that any one actually leaves her.I wish the film would not have left so many unanswered questions.I agree with you about Alicia's blinders coming off. Alicia and Gaby I believe are the ones to give hope. Alicia ends up being the strong one and thats what Gaby will need.Gaby's future is hopefull because of Alicia's love for her.
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