Old Cats – Los gatos viejos (2010)

Directed by: Pedro Peirano, Sebastian Silva | 99 minutes | drama | Actors: Belgica Castro, Alejandro Sieveking, Catalina Saavedra, Claudia Celedon

When the old Isadora (Bélgica Castro) awakens, it is clear from the haggard look in her eyes that she is slightly panicked at that moment. “I don’t want it,” she cries, but she doesn’t know what she doesn’t want either. She lives a fairly pleasant life in a modest apartment with her partner Enrique (Alejandro Sieveking) and two old cats. Isadora is subject to an early stage of dementia and constantly alternates clear periods with moments in which she completely forgets what she already had to do, such as turning off the tap while doing laundry. Her partner Enrique takes care of her lovingly, understands her situation, is light-hearted about things she forgets, constantly cheers her up and keeps their lives on track.

The morning is initially calm. Then her lesbian daughter Rosario (Claudia Celedón) calls. She and her partner Beatriz (Catalina Saavedra) – who can be called Hugo – have returned from a holiday. Rosario wants to come over and announces that he has a surprise. Rosario has an extremely difficult relationship with her mother and has regularly borrowed money under various false pretenses in the past. Isadora prefers not to see her come, but her unbalanced mental state is unable to stop the visit. Enrique senses immediate danger from his stepdaughter. Rosario will start to cause trouble again and he reassures Isadora with a promise to stay with her all day so that the coke-sniffing and money-hungry Rosario waltzes all over her and causes further mischief.

Rosario appears (and later her friend Hugo), after initial friendliness and brought presents, it soon becomes apparent that Rosario is after more and actually a dirty game. She wants old Isadora to quickly sign an authorization that gives Rosario access to the apartment. Rosario obviously has ‘the best intentions’ for Mama. After that, a cesspool of dirty tricks and games is opened and emotions run high.

When Rosario and Hugo notice that Isadora is no longer mentally well, they lurk like predators at a weak moment. They manipulate the two fiercely resisting oldies. When Rosario thinks he has decided the case, Isadora refuses to sign the authorization at the decisive moment. An eruption of emotions between mother and daughter starts, reproaches about a loveless upbringing fly over the table and the unvarnished distrust of each other’s intentions is increasing. Rosario blames her mother for never loving her and crocodile tears flow freely. Further consequences are inevitable, since Rosario has decided that the required signature will have to be placed that afternoon.

It is fascinating how the relations between the two parties constantly change, how the mood swings back and forth between wavering approval and outright rejection. Can Isadora and Enrique defend themselves with subtle methods against the coarse attacking play of Rosario and Hugo? Can the negative spiral of the difficult mother-daughter relationship be broken? Can the relationship between mother and daughter with their burdened past still come to some form of forgiveness or will the developments have another dramatic denouement?

Director Sebastian Silva does a great job of keeping the suspense in this small, understated filmed story (set almost entirely in a small apartment). He also has a touch of humor built in. As a result, a good balance has been preserved. Bélgica Castro is the Grande Dame of Chilean cinema and plays her role of the slowly demented Isadora in a moving, lifelike way. The moments when she looks in the mirror and realizes what is going on with her have been interpreted magnificently. The moments when she is bright and combative show a 90-year-old lady who knows what life is all about. Alejandro Sieveking also plays his part with verve as partner Isadora, who sincerely and slightly desperately tries to save his beloved from a weak and indulgent moment.

In the screenplay, the role of daughter Rosario is played with the necessary emphasis on pathos and sentiment on a few moments. Her behavior and that of partner Hugo is sometimes a bit too strong. However, the abundant emotions are beautifully portrayed by the camera that is close to the actors.

‘Old Cats’ is an arthouse film pur sang in terms of atmosphere and style. The interpretation of the diseased mother-daughter relationship will appeal to many. A memorable acting performance by 90-year-old Bélgica Castro!