Who the Hell Is Juliette? (1997)

Original Title: ¿Quién diablos es Juliette?

Cinematographer Carlos Macovich met Yuliet Ortega, a young "jinetera" (prostitute) from Havana, when he shot a video in Cuba, starring model Fabiola Quiroz. When he realized that the two women had not seen their respective fathers for many years, he made this documentary, which is also a reflection on the process of filmmaking.

Overview:
"Who the Hell Is Juliette?" is an enchanting documentary-style movie directed by renowned Mexican filmmaker Carlos Marcovich in 1997. The movie highlights the lives of 2 perky females connected by coincidence - Juliette, a flamboyant 16-year-old Cuban girl and Fabiola, a successful Mexican model. Through their contrasting experiences, the motion picture presents a compelling evaluation of youth, beauty, identity, and connection, mixing reality and fiction.

Plot:
The motion picture embarks on a journey, concentrating on Juliette's extraordinarily lively yet tough life in Havana. She exists as a fascinating, audacious teen who earns her living by assisting travelers in her house city. Throughout the movie, her effervescent personality and lyrical storytelling mesmerize the audience. Parallelly, it presents Fabiola Quiroz, an effective design whose life is in stark contrast to Juliette's. Born in a small Mexican town, Fabiola had a complicated training comparable to Juliette's. In spite of their contrasting worlds, the two satisfy on a film set where Juliette works and form a not likely but strong bond.

Characterization and Performance:
Throughout the film, Juliette is represented as a charming, durable person, handling her mom's desertion and her subsequent life with her grandma and seven siblings. Fabiola, on the other hand, handle her dad's death, her mom's anxiety, and her own growing modeling profession. The way both characters navigate life and form a connection in the middle of the turmoil of their worlds forms the essence of the story. The performances of the cast, especially Yuliet Ortega (Juliette) and Fabiola Quiroz, are remarkable, as they effortlessly embody the grit and charm of their respective characters.

Visual appeals and Soundtrack:
The movie is aesthetically striking as it explores the appeal and battles of Havana and Mexico City respectively. Marcovich experiments thoroughly with video and 16mm movie formats, boosting the story's raw and poetic feel. Cinematographer Guillermo Granillo's remarkable work renders a documentary-style fluidity yet a captivating cinematic touch. The eclectic soundtrack is another highlight of the movie including a vast array of music styles from conventional Cuban folk to 70s rock, amplifying the psychological context of the scenes.

Styles and Reception:
"Who the Hell is Juliette?" paints an intimate portrait of nerve, youth, durability, and self-determination. The film got important honor for its non-traditional storytelling, its raw representation of harsh realities, and its celebration of life and strength. Critics particularly appreciated the director's ability to weave personal narrative threads into a captivating tapestry of real-life experiences and emotions.

Conclusion:
Marcovich's "Who the Hell Is Juliette?" is a true masterstroke in the realm of documentary-style movie theater. As the story unfolds in an unscripted-like manner, it welcomes the audience to share in the lives of 2 strong females bonded by their perseverance and a thirst for life. Equipped with resilient cinematography, a genuine story, and spectacular performances, the movie is a tendentious ode to the strength of the human spirit.

Top Cast

  • Yuliet Ortega
    Herself
  • Fabiola Quiroz
    Herself
  • Jorge Quiroz
    Himself
  • Victor Ortega
    Himself
  • Michele Ortega
    Himself
  • Salma Hayek (small)
    Salma Hayek
    Herself
  • Benny Ibarra (small)
    Benny Ibarra
    Himself
  • Francesco Clemente
    Himself
  • Daniel Giménez Cacho (small)
    Daniel Giménez Cacho
    Himself
  • Oneida Ramírez
    Herself