CASA DE LOS BABYS
Indie-auteur John Sayles once more uses the female voice to explain his humanistic concerns for all of us!
3 stars [(2003)USA-Mexico/Rated R] - (1 hr. 35 min.)
[In English & Spanish (w/ subtitles) / USA distrib: IFC films]
Directed, written, & edited by John Sayles
Characters/Cast
Jennifer - Maggie Gyllenhaal
Nan - Marcia Gay Harden
Skipper - Daryl Hannah
Leslie - Lili Taylor
Review:
"I have socks that are older than you." -Leslie
While on the surface this film may seem like a Lifetime cable 'movie-of the-week' about how women unable to be impregnated are forced to go outside the normal channels (and U.S. borders) to obtain babies to raise, it also reveals the many social ills that allow this process to take place (and flourish).
As you can tell, the real delight of this type of film is the way it lends itself to discussion afterward, so don't go to see it alone. In fact, it's even better to bring a group of friends and then go out post-screening to a cafe to discuss the ideas presented, because the most interesting thing about Sayles is that he likes to ask the questions and then leave the answers up to the viewers to solve (re: "Limbo").
So if you do go to this film, prepare yourself to listen, argue, discuss, and learn from your movie-pals. Films like this make movie-going a community experience if you are ready to take that step.
"You don't need to understand the words to watch TV. Stupidity is the universal language." -Leslie
Supporting cast:
Eileen - Susan Lynch
Gayle - Mary Steenburgen
Senora Munoz - Rita Moreno
Asuncion - Vanessa Martinez
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SOUNDTRACK INFO from IMDb.com Please note that songs listed here (and in the movie credits) cannot always be found on CD soundtracks. Please check CD track details for confirmation.
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"De Cara a la Pared"
Performed by Lhasa
(c) 1997 Le Disques Audiogramme / Courtesy of Audiogram
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"Un Son Para Ti"
Written by Orlando Barroso
Performed by Rubén Blades
Published by Orlando Barroso / Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
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"He Venido"
Written by Rolando Vergara y Rodriguez
Performed by Los Zafiros
Published by Creativos Independientes, S.L. / SGAE - SACM / Courtesy of World Circuit / Discos Corasón, S.A.
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"Caña Brava"
Written by Antonio Abreu
Performed by Gupo Fantasma
Published by PHAM / Courtesy of Sones del Méxicide, S.A. de C.V.
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"Naela"
Written by Jesús Rasgado
Performed by Lila Downs
Published by Brambila Musical México S.A. de C.V. / Courtesy of Lila Downs
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"Hasta Siempre Comandante"
Written by Carlos Puebla
Performed by Carlos Puebla
Published by Editora Musical de Cuba / Courtesy of EGREM
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"Siboney"
Written by Ernesto Lecuona
Performed by Los Panchos
Published by Leo Feist Music/EMI Blackwood/EMI Musical / Courtesy of Sony Music México, S.A. de C.V.
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"Canción de Orfeo"
Written by Luis Bonfa & Antonio María Edicoes Euterpe
Performed by Los Zafiros
Published by Beechwood de México / Courtesy of World Circuit/Discos Corasón, S.A.
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"Duerme Negrito"
Written by Ernesto Grenet
Performed by Atahualpa Yupanqui
Published by Robbins Music/EMI Blackwood/EMI Musical / Courtesy of EMI ODEON SAIC (Argentina)
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"Duerme"
Written by Gabriel Luna & Miguel Prado
Performed by Rita Moreno
Published by PHAM
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"The Juggler"
Written by Mason Daring and Billy Novick
Published by Daring Music / ASCAP
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"Quién Sera"
Written by John Sayles, Mason Daring & Claudio Ragazzi
Lyrics by John Sayles
Performed by Rita Moreno
Published by Daring Music / ASCAP
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