Yo, la peor de todas (1990)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

María Luisa Bemberg

Writers:

María Luisa Bemberg (writer)
Antonio Larreta (writer)

Release Date:

24 November 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

A viceroy and an archbishop take their posts in Mexico. A local nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695)...

Plot Keywords:

Abbess | Nun | Historical | Based On True Story | Based On Novel

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Assumpta Serna	...	Juana Inés de la Cruz
Dominique Sanda	...	La Virreina
Héctor Alterio	...	The Viceroy
Lautaro Murúa	...	Archbishop
Graciela Araujo	...	Sister Ursula
Alberto Segado	...	Father Miranda
Gerardo Romano	...	Siguenza
Franklin Caicedo	...	Santa Cruz
Hugo Soto
Margara Alonso
Lidia Catalano
Margarita Padín
Alejandra Colunga		(as Alejandro Colunga)
Rosario Blefari
Felisa Rocha

Also Known As:

I, the Worst of All (USA)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Austria:14 | UK:15 | Poland:15 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company:

GEA Cinematográfica

Trivia:

Argentina's official selection for the 1990 Oscar Awards, Foreign Language film category.

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz

Juana Ines de la Cruz was a woman ahead of her times. She had everything going against her; she was a woman, she had intelligence, and she intimidated the people around her. Everything conspired to make her a target for the higher ups in the Catholic Church in Mexico. The Archbishop wanted to silence her at all costs.

These were the times when the so called Holy Inquisition was an instrument of the Church to get rid of anyone considered heretic, or who would question the dogma. It was a convenient way to get rid of the enemies, as the Catholic Church had such power that no one dared to challenge it.

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz wrote some of the best poetry known in the Spanish literature. Her work has survived because of the strength and beauty of her work. Sor Juana was befriended by the Spanish Viceroy and his wife. The virreina, in particular, saw in Juana a kindred spirit. Their relationship had shades of lesbianism, although only a chaste kiss is exchanged between them. When the Medinacellis are recalled home, Sor Juana is left at the mercy of the evil Archbishop who is bent in destroying her. Sor Juana Ines succumbs to the pest that took thousands in her country without being recognized in life for all she gave the world.

Maria Luisa Bemberg, a feminist film maker, puts her stamp in this story by bringing together the influential virreina and Sor Juana, a combination of two strong women who lived during a period of uncertainty in Spain and her colonies in the new world.

Asumpta Serna has some good moments as Juana Ines de la Cruz. Dominique Sanda is also effective playing opposite Ms. Serna as the virreina. Hector Alterio, Lautaro Murua, and the rest of the cast do a good job supporting the principal players. Cecilia Roth's dubbed the voice for Ms. Sanda.

Felix Monti's dark cinematography serves the film well. The film was photographed in a studio, and at times, it looks as though it is a theater set. Ms. Bemberg directed with a sure hand and got a lot out of her cast and crew.