The Heiresses

Chela, a wealthy woman from a fading Asunción dynasty, lives a life of quiet desperation. Her long-term female partner is arrested for embezzlement, shattering their comfortable existence. Facing financial ruin, Chela is forced to rent out rooms in her ancestral home and take on work as a chauffeur for other affluent women, confronting her past and her desires in the process.

The Heiresses was critically acclaimed, particularly for its subtle storytelling, strong performances, and nuanced exploration of female relationships and societal constraints in Paraguay. It was praised for its quiet power and emotional depth, resonating with both critics and audiences.

• Praised for its sensitive and understated portrayal of a woman navigating societal and personal crises.

• Ana Brun's central performance was widely lauded as captivating and deeply affecting.

• The film's exploration of unspoken desires and hidden lives struck a chord with critics.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's emotional resonance and the compelling lead performance by Ana Brun. Viewers appreciated the subtle narrative and the film's insightful look into the lives of its characters.

Won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film in the Panorama section at the Berlin International Film Festival, and Ana Brun won the Silver Bear for Best Actress. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globe Awards.

Director Marcelo Martinessi was inspired to write the film after meeting older women in Paraguay who were forced to hide their same-sex relationships due to societal pressures and the country's conservative laws.