Roma
There are periods in history that scar societies and moments in life that transform us as individuals.
Overview
In 1970s Mexico City, two domestic workers help a mother of four while her husband is away for an extended period of time.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Roma is a semi-autobiographical film that draws heavily from Cuarón's upbringing in Mexico City. It focuses on the life of a middle-class family and their housekeeper, Cleo (played by Yalitza Aparicio), who is a member of the Mixtec indigenous group.
- Roma offers a profound and emotionally resonant portrayal of everyday life in Mexico City during the late 1970s.
- Alfonso Cuarón's autobiographical direction lends an intimate, personal touch to the story, making it all the more impactful.
- The film's stunning cinematography and long takes showcase Cuarón's mastery over visual storytelling.
- The compelling narrative explores themes of family, class, love, loss, and the complexities of personal relationships.
Fun Facts
- The film's title refers to the Colonia Roma neighborhood in Mexico City where Cuarón grew up.
- Almost the entire cast, including lead actress Yalitza Aparicio, were first-time actors.
- Roma was shot using 96 frames per second, which is four times the standard rate for cinema, giving the film an exceptionally smooth and realistic look.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"There are periods in history that scar societies and moments in life that transform us as individuals."
Italiano
IT
Title:
"La storia di diverse generazioni di una famiglia durante gli Anni Settanta a Città del Messico"
Français
FR
Title: Roma
"Il y a des périodes de l'Histoire qui marquent les sociétés, et des moments dans la vie qui font de nous des individus à part entière."
Pусский
RU
Title: Рома
""
Türkçe
TR
Title:
"Tarihte toplumları yaralayan dönemler ve hayatta bizi birey olarak dönüştüren anlar vardır."
български език
BG
Title: Рим
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Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
One of the best movies I've watched in years. A masterpiece in every sense from the storytelling going through the production and ending with the masterful photography. It remainded me other such "childhood memories" masterpieces like Amarcord or even Bergman's Fanny and Alexander. The movie shows a year (circa 1970) in the life of a middle class, intellectual family through the eyes of their domestic helper, Cleo. She comes from a small town, has an indigenous background and works for the family within one of these arrangements (common in underdeveloped parts of the world) where the worker is treated somewhere between older sister and slave. She is emotionally involved with the children in a reciprocal relationship but she still has to work with very few (if any) worker's rights. The relationship is indeed complex and its treatment is the main strenght of the movie in my view.
For those of us who where partly raised by these amazingly loving women the movie is an emotional tour-de-force.
For the rest, the movie is a must. Please watch it.
Oscar Awards
Wins
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 2018
Alfonso Cuarón
DIRECTING - 2018
Alfonso Cuarón
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM - 2018
None
Nominations
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE - 2018
Yalitza Aparicio
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - 2018
Marina de Tavira
BEST PICTURE - 2018
Gabriela Rodríguez, Alfonso Cuarón
PRODUCTION DESIGN - 2018
Eugenio Caballero, Bárbara Enríquez
SOUND EDITING - 2018
Sergio Díaz, Skip Lievsay
SOUND MIXING - 2018
Skip Lievsay, Craig Henighan, José Antonio García
WRITING (Original Screenplay) - 2018
Alfonso Cuarón
Media
Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scene: Alfonso Cuarón on ROMA
Featurette
Alfonso Cuarón Talks About Roma on the Red Carpet
Featurette
How Alfonso Cuarón became ROMA's Oscar-nominated cinematographer