Summary Of The Film 'La Camera Obscura'

The film La Camera Obscura, demonstrates that the integration of Jews, specifically Jewish women, into Argentine society is accepted. Director, Maria Victoria Menis presents this film through a feminine lens and she aims to emphasize women empowerment. It’s simply a very interesting situation from the minute Gertrudis is born and pronounced ugly. This film additionally presents us with an uncommon opportunity to experience Jewish rural settlements in 19th century Argentina. This is a new perspective and the concept of the film is very liberating. Argentine-Jewish cinema supports the assimilation of Jewish women in Argentine society; this film does this by reflecting on the laws of beauty, acceptance, and femininity.
La Camera Obscura starts off in the 19th century. Gertrudis, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants has just been born on the dock of an immigrant ship coming from Russia to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her parents have been forced to flee Russia because of the threat of the pogrom. Getrudis is
Unfortunately, for the “useless” young women of the households, their families determined their fate. Gertrudis ended up being married off to a wealthy Jewish rancher whom she appeared to have no connection to. Nonetheless, she seemed happy in life and during her days as a married woman. This is before her husband decided to hire a photographer, Jean Baptiste, to take photos around the ranch. Gertrudis is surprisingly attracted to him and he soon forces her to realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. He additionally convinces her to not just stand behind the camera but he empowers her to express her artistic abilities beyond her domestic setting. Menis’ goal is to emphasize women empowerment and also show that acculturation for a Jewish immigrant in Argentina is