I recently watched “Roma” a black and white film that came out in 2018. The film was directed by Alfonso Cuaron, a Mexican film director, screenwriter and cinematographer. Set in Mexico City during the 70’s, the film captures what life is like for an upper-class family and their domestic worker, Cleo, who is the main character of the film. The movie follows the life of Cleo and the family she employs for, depicting the true gravity of the struggles she had to face during the time (the turmoil that Mexico City faced at this time). The overall concept of the movie felt like a personal story being being placed against a backdrop of a larger one. Cuaron was able to show the internal endeavors Cleo had to face, whilst conveying to the audience how hard it was to be a human in society, supported by others, yet still alone. 

One of the most notable aspects of the film was the cinematography and it’s captivating simplicity. The film opens with a close-up shot of a paved driveway being washed, showing the soap water slosh back and forth. In the reflection of the water we can see the person washing the pavement, clouds in the sky and a plane flying across. The shot lasts for an unnecessary amount of time, but the meaning behind it made it feel timeless. Another incredible shot occurs when Cleo is at the beach with the children of the family that she cares for, and is going into the ocean to save the youngest, Pepe, from drowning in the water. The entire scene is one-take, starting from when she is walking from the shore to the water, going into the water to save him, and then helping him back to the beach where Pepe and the other children hug Cleo and share a powerfully sentimental moment. The shot and the length/composition was so well choreographed, and the length of this scene felt raw and natural. Besides the breathtaking visuals that made me feel like I was just walking through the most beautiful art museum of all time, the inferences and implications that are sprinkled within the film are very interesting. For example, Cleo is in a furniture store and chaos erupts, people running around the streets; the city turns into complete mayhem. This scene is meant to show the Corpus Christi Massacre of June, 1971, yet this is never formally stated in the movie. Through the films cinematography, it is inferred that life for lower-class citizens, such as Cleo, are constantly moving at a  fast-pace. The camera constantly pans from one side of a room to another, moves from left and right as if we are meant to be moving through the crowd of people. The filmmaker is trying to keep up with the reality that he is just trying to capture. The contrast of still shots that are filled with hidden meanings and gorgeous framework to one-take pan shots/shots with movement, allows the movie to reflect society in the most accurate way. 

The storyline of this movie, mixed with it’s incredible acting and cinematography above all, molds into a visual masterpiece. The relationship between Cleo and the family she works for is special. Cleo, doesn’t have much money and gets pregnant by her boyfriend's cousin, would barely able to survive without their loving support. They help her keep her feet on the ground. It provides a meaningful message that even though people can be different, they can love each other nonetheless. I highly recommend this movie for everyone. Despite its length (2 hours and 30 minutes), it draws you in through every single one of it’s amazing aspects. It also won several Academy Awards! Now maybe you will give it a watch!