Manuela Sáenz

This is a very well made film, even more so considering the budgetary limitations of the Venezuelan film industry. Beatriz Valdes plays the part of the legendary South American patriot superbly, and even though the English subtitles are faithful to the dialog, somehow the poetry and imagery of the language is lost in the translation (to the detriment of non-Spanish speaking viewers)

I watched this film in the Manuela Saenz museum in Quito, Ecuador surrounded by many artifacts owned by Manuela Saenz and Simon Bolivar. It was rather long for a museum visit but helps in understanding a lot of American history and one of the celebrated liberators of Ecuador.

I say "American" because this is what they call themselves. For those North Americans reading this there is an America with an older history than the USA. We call it South America but they that live there are just as American as anyone else. This film is about the liberation of the Americas and the women and men that fought and died.

Whether true or not, it is an amusing use of a young Herman Melville in the film to preserve the story of Manuela. Herman did actually publish Moby Dick a short time after the apparent time of his discussion of the book with Manuela.

Once I got over my frustration of being stuck watching a very long movie in a museum (without any warning as to the length) I settled into the story and enjoyed the plot. I do not think the version I saw was only 97 minutes as I am sure I timed it as 122 minutes playing from a DVD.

However the English translation is amusing at times as the translators use literal translation perfect English to replace Spanish phrases. As in many areas (of especially Ecuador) the use of English speakers would assist the locals in translating.

It is a wonderful historical historical film about the fight for the independence of Venezuela.

Very good script.

All the elements of the films are very well made. Especially the dance scene. The two featured dancers are simply superb. It is obvious why these two dancers (of all the dancers on the dance floor) were really the only two featured.

Outstanding.

Enjoy the film.

:)

Set during the Independence War (early 1800's), when Simón Bolívar's troops fought against Spain to free Venezuela, Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador and New Granada (now Colombia), Manuela Sáenz tells the love story between Sáenz and Bolívar in a very romantic way, and also shows the character of this woman, who stood up by herself in a time were woman were diminished.

The film has a great script (by Leonardo Padrón), and Cézary Jaworsky makes a remarkable job with the photography. Not to mention the great directing by Diego Rísquez.

This movie also features the last performance by Mariano Álvarez (Simón Bolívar), whose career in venezuelan TV, theater and cinema will never be forgotten.

And Beatríz Valdés (Manuela Sáenz) shows that she can make much more than just soap operas.

If you want to see a great story about this great woman, go see this movie!