MovieChat Forums > La nana (2011) Discussion > Theory on Raquel's hatred of Camila

Theory on Raquel's hatred of Camila

posted 13 years ago by midge_ray
15 replies | jump to latest

Watching it, I thought the movie was building up to a reveal that Raquel disliked Camila because Raquel knew/suspected Camila to be the product of the mother's affair with someone other than the dad - that Raquel had an antipathy toward Camila because she was not really/truly a part of the family that Raquel was so devoted too.

The daughter, Camila, is the oldest and it is mentioned Raquel joined one year before Camila was born - putting Raquel there at the crucial affair time.

Also, this theory has the added benefit of explaining why Mom doesn't just fire Raquel: because she knows Raquel knows and if she fired her, Raquel would spill the beans in revenge.

Even if the filmmaker wasn't intentionally trying to present this, I think he's created a film that really raises the question of why the mom wouldn't fire Raquel. I really thought that any mother, the second after she saw the maid scratched one of their child's faces from pictures, would have fired them immediately. Also, with all the other trouble Raquel caused, I really think the movie created a mystery as to why she wasn't kicked out of the house.

Anyway, I have to wonder if my theory wasn't some "backstory" the director told the actors to inform their behavior, but kept unsaid in the film.

[–] Buff70 13 years ago

Wow, absolutely. I thought the same thing after wondering as to WHY she was still keeping her there. In fact at some point Pilar (the mom) says to her own mom who came over to visit around the holidays : "I can't fire her, I just can't". Do you remember that scene ? That made me come to that conclusion also, that Raquel knows a secret.

[–] janezmd-245-816367 12 years ago

I do remember the conviction with which Pilar stated that she simply couldn't fire Raquel, and I simply attributed it to a fundamental decency on the part of the woman, paying back loyalty with loyalty.

[–] bogwart-1 13 years ago

There isn't the slightest hint of that. And you've made up your mind, it seems, that whatever the director intended you know better. Extraordinary.

She wasn't 'kicked out' because the whole point of the film is how much a strong part of the family she was, and the length of time she'd been with them. Also, the mother was certainly a far more mature person than you will ever be, if all you can do is imagine that it's so easy to sack someone who has been part of the family for its entire existence.

Why is it so difficult for some people to accept that what you see is what you get? Why does there have to be some bizarre nonsensical and unpleasant motive for the actions of someone in her position? It seemed perfectly straightforward to me.

[–] fluffynelly 13 years ago

Having attended a q & a by the director, he explained the context of being a maid in Chile. They begin young, and they stay there practically forever. Raquel (title character) has been there for TWENTY THREE years. So she was, what, 19 when she became a maid? 20? Maybe older depending on how old you think she is?

The conflict between her and Camila was from the fact that Camila was beginning to come into her own and become a woman while Raquel just became a maid at that age. It was supposed to be one more thing that added to her social retardation, which is what the movie is about. Camila was having what Raquel never got to.

If I remember correctly, there was mention of how Raquel used to love Camila and treat her very well. I mean, with context in consideration, she would have raised Camila.

It's what the director said. I thought that op is a little extravagant. And this latest post was a little too eager to take things at face value, as both have missed this contextual information.

But yes, I do believe that much of the movie is about why Raquel is a part of the family.

[–] bogwart-1 13 years ago

That Q&A explains exactly Raquel's situation and I wouldn't argue with it for a second. I think he achieved exactly what he set out to do.

What I was arguing about is that story stands up perfectly well on its own and doesn't need any grandiose conspiracy theories to make it work. If a director, a writer, an artist, whatever, creates a piece of art it is the height of arrogance for a viewer to decide that the "meaning" is different to what you see.

[–] pinesolbaby 13 years ago

Bogwart, I think you're being harsh with the OP and a bit of a jerk. Can it be a bit conceivable that the OP hasn't seen the Q&A and that's why they have drawn different conclusions? People naturally have different interpretations of any set story. People have different perceptions of different things. Hell, at the end of the film, I came up with my own conclusions over why Raquel hated Camila because I myself expected a small reveal, which makes this film so great. It doesn't hit you over the head with an over abundance of information and makes you think a bit.

It was straightforward to you the first time you saw it. Awesome, good for you. You saw the Q&A. Again, good for you. But don't go around saying that OP is arrogant because they drew their own conclusions to what was presented to them. Hell, you can say that any student who is enrolled in some kind of literature course is arrogant for coming up with their own analysis or forming conclusions (which is encouraged by every teacher) to a certain piece of literature.

I don't disagree with you on the director's intent, but I do disagree with you in general over devaluing and insulting people because of their opinions and their analysis of any type of work. A simple "No, that wasn't what the director's intent was" could suffice as an answer to the OP instead of spewing forth insults.

"I'm here to audition for the role of kicker."

[–] bogwart-1 13 years ago

Who the hell do you think you are to tell me how to comport myself? I have clearly explained my reasoning for my posts and if you are such a baby that you cannot accept criticism (and it's not even yours to accept) then go away and grow up.

I can't believe your arrogance and your insular, parochial attitude. You will make a wonderful kids' teacher one day. In the meantime do not presume to know what is in the mind of others, you bossy little cow.

[–] Buff70 12 years ago

bogwart-1 ===> 3 words: you need help.

[–] bogwart-1 12 years ago

Really? After nine months you decide to come and add your insults? Get bent, doofus.

[–] Buff70 12 years ago

I didnt just decide to read about this -- I happen to receive an automatic notice each time there is a reply to any of my posts; when I was reading the most current thread, I couldnt help but notice your over-the-top rudeness.
I mean if you feel the need to get your frustration out by insulting total strangers on a movie forum ===> do seek help as soon as possible.

[–] bogwart-1 12 years ago

In that case grow up and get a life. If I'm such a gratuitously rude person why would you invite a hostile response?

Your actions belie your apparent huffiness at what you consider my insulting behaviour. Who made you the arbiter of behaviour on these boards?

Go away. You're boring and have nothing worthwhile to say.

[–] ferchos13 9 years ago

Relax buddy. Breathe deep.

[–] susana-cortes 13 years ago

The reason why Raquel is not fired is because Chilean mothers (including mine) normally complain about how difficult is to find a good maid (and in this context good that means exactly like Raquel: doing her job and not complaining about anything, without stealing from you, and having no life apart from serving your family) so she can ignore little things like the situation with Camila because firing her would be a huge trouble for her: she would have to find another good maid (again, so difficult to find) plus having to take care of the house during the search.

[–] MELlSANDRE 12 years ago

I thought this for a moment, but in truth, do we know for certain that it was a picture of Camila? Another theory is that since Camila was the eldest, and 'the Nanny' had been there first, she resented Camila for intruding. I also thought that in some odd twist, Camila would be revealed to be Raquel's daughter. Finally, when she asked her mom about "Verito" (a diminutive for the Spanish Vera or Veronica) I thought that maybe she had left a female child behind to go find work. (That is until the following scene with Tio Eric).

All-in-all, it is left up to the viewer's interpretation and although I was expecting more from the film, it was solid enough to be labeled if not a fave, at least, "pleasant".

[–] PoppyTransfusion 8 years ago

I think Raquel felt rejected by Camilla, who Raquel probably saw as her own.

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer