The Girlfriend (1989)

The Girlfriend Poster
Original Title: La amiga

Since childhood, Raquel and Maria have been close friends. Now all grown-up, Raquel has fulfilled her dream of becoming an actress, while Maria has married a handyman, given birth to three children and runs the family household. In the wake of the Argentine military coup of 1976, Maria's oldest son Carlos is abducted. Desperate, Maria turns to her prominent friend for help. Yet the more Raquel gets involved in the search for Carlos, the more she becomes herself a target of the junta. Finally, she flees from Argentina to Berlin. Meanwhile Maria joins a group of women who investigate the fate of their disappeared relatives. In 1983, after the fall of the dictatorship, the two friends meet again.

Title: The Girlfriend (Die Freundin).

Intro:
"The Girlfriend" is an East German movie (known as "Die Freundin" in German) launched in 1989. It is directed by Dominik Graf and it revolves around the lives of two women, Claudia and Betty, who are extremely close friends residing in Germany. Their relationship is the cornerstone of the movie, depicting a deep emotional bond that exceeds standard relationship.

Plot:
The film starts by presenting Claudia, a working-class woman who struggles to make ends meet as she raises her two kids. All at once, she defies social norms by choosing to stay single. Her friend, Betty, is an enthusiastic and extremely spirited female. Unlike Claudia, she lives a lavish lifestyle thanks to her illicit task as a smuggler.

Despite their stark contrasts, the 2 women share an unbreakable bond. When Betty's smuggling service deals with impending risks, she asks Claudia to get involved as a carrier, a proposal that complically puts their relationship at threat. After much reflection, Claudia consents to assist Betty, intending to accomplish financial stability for her kids.

Claudia's participation in illegal activities takes a toll on her personal life. She has to stabilize her duties as a mother, her regular task, and the dangerous courier task for Betty. In her mission to offer her kids, Claudia finds herself losing her grip on them, specifically her teenage daughter, Sonja, who begins rebelling versus her.

Climax and Conclusion:
The climax of the movie strikes when their smuggling company is exposed, causing an authorities hunt. Claudia and Betty try to get away however are eventually captured and sentenced to prison. The after-effects is devastating for Claudia, who loses custody of her children. Sonja is particularly affected, feeling deserted by her mother's options.

In the end, the movie draws a poignant picture of the effects of their choices on both Claudia and Betty. Claudia pays greatly for her mission for financial stability, while Betty loses her good friend. The movie concludes with both females pondering their choices and managing the consequences.

Thematic Analysis:
"The Girlfriend" is a grim and heartbreaking expedition of friendship, choices, and effects set against the backdrop of social expectations and norms in East Germany. The societal review is discreetly woven into the plot, highlighting the battles of single mothers and ladies trying to obtain financial independence. The movie paints an extensive image of the trials these 2 ladies faced while trying to browse societal standards, motherhood, friendship, and survival in a callous world.

Significance:
"Die Freundin" is set throughout a crucial time when East Germany was on the edge of collapse owing to the political unrest and monetary instability. This offers a historic context that includes depth to the characters' actions and decisions. The movie provides an engaging narrative about female relationship and the severe truth of survival, making it memorable and poignant.

Conclusion:
"The Girlfriend" is not simply a film about two friends; it's a commentary about the condition of women, the socio-economic climate in East Germany throughout the late 1980s, and the high rate of survival. It is an effective exploration of friendship, hardship, and durability in times of hardship.

Top Cast

  • Liv Ullmann (small)
    Liv Ullmann
    María
  • Cipe Lincovsky (small)
    Cipe Lincovsky
    Raquel
  • Federico Luppi (small)
    Federico Luppi
    Pancho
  • Lito Cruz (small)
    Lito Cruz
    Comisario Tito
  • Víctor Laplace (small)
    Víctor Laplace
    Diego
  • Harry Baer (small)
    Harry Baer
    Amigo de Raquel en Berlín
  • Nicolas Frei
  • Cristina Murta
  • Gregor Hansen
  • Chela Cardalda
  • Amancay Espíndola (small)
    Amancay Espíndola