THE HOLY GIRL

THE HOLY GIRL (LA NIÑA SANTA), 2004

Argentina, Italy, The Netherlands |DVD, Color, 106' |Spanish
Director: Lucrecia Martel
Cast: Mercedes Morán, Carlos Belloso, Alejandro Urdapilleta

The Holy Girl is the coming of age story of a young girl and her spiritual journey into becoming a holy person. The film focuses on the intricate processes of desire, and the transformation of the body, lust and sexuality that come clashing with morals. At a hotel hosting medicinal congress, one of the doctors sexually harasses Amalia, and in turn she decides that it is her calling to sanctify this man who has departed from the straight and narrow. However, Amalia will be caught in the throes of her budding sexuality and her deeply held passion for her Catholic faith.The Holy Girl is Martel’s second feature film to be nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. With the use of close ups, Martel lets the cast speak through their facial expressions rather than their words in this fascinating psychological drama.