CASA BLANCAA documentary Film

Written and Directed by Aleksandra MaciuszekA Mexico-Cuba-Poland Co/Production

This film is the story of a family in a critical situation. Two disabled individuals- the mother physically, the son mentally, both socially- who decide to persist and survive together.

INDEX The Roots of the Story Nelsa & Vladimir The Family Colors & Sounds Outcasts

THEROOTSOFTHESTORY The heroic, and at the same time absurd, searches for Vladi that occur at least once a day, became the very foundation for the creation of this story. These quests situated in the enigmatic town of Casablanca had an almost mythical appearance to me. Her search was the clear reflection of Vladimir’s wandering days, which clearly states his pursuit for freedom regardless of his mental impediments.

NELSA Nelsa is a 72-year-old woman. She suffers from a partial paralysis that affects half her body due to a brain stroke. She lives in a rundown apartment block, with only one bedroom, which she shares with her son Vladimir. It’s a very humble place with only a few pieces of furniture, a small kitchen, one bed with greyed out sheets and an old television set, which Nelsa uses everyday to pass the time watching Colombian soap operas. When Vladimir was a teenager, and everything indicated that besides having Down syndrome, he could lead a normal life, Nelsa took him out of special school and decided that she was going to raise and educate him.

VLADI Vladimir is a 36-year-old man. He was born with Down syndrome, but he does not feel any different than the rest. He takes care of his disabled mother Nelsa, helping her shower, get dressed and even tie her shoelaces. He also buys the bread, the water tanks from the neighbors and the every day meal from the social kitchen in town. Vladimir’s dream is to be a fisherman, so he spends his time with Chicho and the local fishermen in order to fit in, but his irresponsible attitude and constant alcohol consumption, makes him the center of cruel jokes. Vladi hates that Nelsa constantly treats him like a child, and sometimes he threatens her with abandonment, but deep inside he knows that he needs Nelsa as much as she needs him, and he does not want to confront the idea of entering a special center for people with Down syndrome.

THEFAMILY Casablanca is situated right in the border between questioning your family and questioning your freedom. What is that bond that brings us together, sometimes in a categorically cruel way? How long can we endure without giving up to our urges of freedom? How many times, within our family, by wanting to help we only cause more trouble? How many times, without being able to help ourselves, we try to helps others? Is the dependency and sacrifice we endure for our families categorized as animal instincts or an undeniable display of our true humanity?

INTERIOR, NELSA’S APARTMENT, NIGHT.

NELSA is sitting on the bed, VLADIMIR sitting on the chair, upset. He speaks loudly, almost screaming.

VLADIMIR Why do you always have to bother me Nelsa? If it’s not one thing is the other. I’m not a child Nelsa, you hear? I’m not a child

NELSA places her finger on his lips trying to shush him.

VLADIMIR ¿Why don’ you stay still Nelsa? ¿Why can’t you just stay still for once?

NELSA Vladi bring the bed sheets.

VLADIMIR It’s unbearable, unbearable! You want me to leave? Is that what you want?

NELSA Vladimir shut your mouth and bring me the bed sheets!

VLADIMIR, nervous, gets up and heads for the closet. VLADIMIR

I can’t stand it, I’m going to leave and go with Fran to Matanzas, and you’re gonna be alone Nelsa, you hear? All alone.

VLADIMIR hands NELSA the sheets.

NELSA Put them there.

VLADIMIR helps NELSA get up from the bed. He starts placing the sheets on top of the bed. His movements are rough and aggressive, and he keeps stuttering unintelligible like he does when he gets nervous.

VLADIMIR You want me to stay and watch T.V. with you all day? Is that what you want Nelsa? This isn’t living!

NELSA (Raising her voice) Vladimir, shut up already!

VLADIMIR, quietly, finishes making the bed. He sits is his chair, and silently stares ahead.

IMAGES&SOUNDS Clasablanca is an observational approach to documentary filmmaking. This interpretation is supplemented with a very precise but open vision regarding the narrative development and dramatic structure of the film, maintaining an Italian Neorealism feel to the dialogue and playing with the border between documentary and fiction. We want our characters to become real-life heroes regardless of their social status and disabilities, and we want our spectators to feel emotionally involved in their daily lives, to feel and breath this picturesque town filled with fishing boats, eccentric characters and wondrous landscapes. Sound will play a key role in the construction of ambiance and emotions in the film, with equal importance as the images. The sound treatment of Casablanca will be augmented by focusing on the sound of the fishing boats, the movement of the ocean and constructing an almost musical symphony with the sirens of the cargo ships and the passing of the electrical train.

OUTCASTS This film wants to portrait another side to people living with Down syndrome that’s far from the stereotype of the mentally challenged “good” boy. Vladimir is a man that self reflects, makes choices and mistakes, but above all, he is a man that defends his individuality radically and fight against the social stigmas of his condition. Within this context, the film also touches the subject of “normality” using this adjective in an esthetic way, questioning it’s meaning and finding beauty and love inside a marginal life, often filled with despair.