La soldadera

La Soldadera is driven by the compelling performance given by Silvia Pinal, (Lázara.) Moving, authentic and heart-breaking, the viewer is drawn into her world which we witness to be collapsing all around her. With very little dialogue, the film is readily accessible to a wider audience than the majority of foreign language films. The emphasis on Pinal's expressions provides the non-Spanish speaking viewer with all that is needed to understand the pain and desperation behind her character. As with any film based upon the daily routines and danger facing individuals in war times, it is by no means a jovial or easy film. However, Pinal finely executes a lighter, rather comical portrayal on occasions. The circularity of the final scene of the train disappearing into the distance nicely links the beginning and end of the film whilst highlighting Lázara's uncertain and dismal future. This film is sure to surprise the least expecting viewer.

Back in the 30's, famed Russian film maker Sergei Eisenstein came to the U.S.A. to make movies at Paramount. One of his first projects was "Que Viva Mexico!". He filmed three fourths of the movie, but Paramount abandoned the project, and was never completed. Nevertheless, the film has squeaked out in various forms. The part that was unfinished was Soldadera, the story of the Woman Soldiers of the Mexican Revolution. It has been rumoured that THIS movie, "La Soldladera", is based on the script and editing notes by Eisenstein for HIS Soldadera portion of "Que Viva Mexico!" One only has to watch it to see the Eisenstein touches, and further inflame the imagination to wonder how it would have looked IF Eisenstein had completed the picture.

Silvia Pinal is the star. She has very little dialogue. She NEEDS no dialogue. Her eyes and face and body language speak PAGES of dialogue. She is STILL a great star and has given many WONDERFUL performances in Spanish and Mexican films. Check out "Shark!" starring Burt Reynolds, and you'll get a good English language film of hers to appreciate her talents. Some nice person out there in film land should do English subtitles for this.

One of the more fantastic scenes in this movie is when, having raided a landowners home and ransacked it, destroyed it, the women are all dressed up, with gaudy make-up, and sit down in the town square to watch a silent movie. Truly one of the great all-time scenes in the history of film. Watch it, and if you don't know Spansih, have a friend who DOES nearby to translate. But you really don't need it. This movie gets the message through in ANY language.

This is a fascinating portrayal of women in the Mexican Revolution. There is a stark contrast between the men who ride on horseback and the women who are forced to walk carrying their heavy belongings; the men tower over the women which creates a sense of oppression and superiority. The "soldaderas" seem to have little choice in participating in the Revolution and as such are constructed as passive victims. There are, however, a few women within the film who fight for themselves and not because they were forced to join by their husbands. The change in appearance of Lázara from peasant girl to "soldadera" represents how she moves from passive victim to actively choosing to be a "soldadera."

As has been noted in an earlier comment this film can be enjoyed without a great understanding of Spanish as most of the key events are portrayed through facial expression. If you do, however, speak Spanish and know a little about the Mexican Revolution it most definitely enhances the viewing.

Overall it is a very interesting film from the perspective of the ordinary figures of the Mexican Revolution.