Coolly unsentimental to the point of being glacial, but possessed of a deadpan wit and downplayed humanistic warmth of its own.
Eve (Gabriela Cartol) is a diligent, polite, hard-working chambermaid at a luxurious Mexico City hotel, one in which she would never be able to stay. Amidst the monotony of repeated long workdays away from her young son, Eve dreams of a better life. Believing her situation will improve if she is promoted to work in the executive suites on the coveted 42nd floor, she accepts her gruelling schedule. Scrupulously following the rules and determined to impress, Eve is careful of her every move, rebuffing the advances of the hotel’s window-washer, and enrolling in the hotel’s adult education programme. But one mistake may prove disastrous, as it initiates a tragic domino effect that will put all Eve’s hopes in jeopardy.
Premiering to audience and critic acclaim at Toronto and London Film Festivals, director Lila Avilés’ striking and compelling debut feature is a vital exploration of the Mexican class divide. With stunning naturalistic camerawork that follows every detail of Eve’s routine, we are faced with the isolation of ordinary working people in this wry take on privilege and exploitation.
Please note the film will screen with English subtitles during the festival.
