Film critic Sebastián Pimentel pointed out in his critique of “Roma,” published in the newspaper El Comercio, that one of the greatest achievements of Alfonso Cuarón film is to get everyone to either see ourselves or our own Cleos in the character portrayed by Yalitza Aparicio. To see ourselves in Cleo’s eyes, to remember our Cleos, to yearn for our childhood in the world that surrounds Cleo, and to accept we are beings destined to yearn, a product of the day-to-day life we cannot escape.
We are always with Cleo, but also outside of Cleo. The other characters that surround her are out of focus, faraway: the middle-class household, complete with kids, and dogs, and an ever-suffering wife who -unjustly- scolds Cleo, but who loves her deeply. We also see her in what seems to be her own space.
It is this power -at times a saving force, at times an element used to re-dignify or re-signify Cleo’s role in the film and in every household (Mexican or otherwise) where her presence, or one like hers, exists- the same thing that has driven social movements. The main characters in these new stories are the maids, the nannies, the caretakers, the Cleos of the world.
The law that was brought back thanks to Roma
Ingrid Vaca is just one of dozens of women who saw a part of themselves in the eyes, hands, and cleaning items seen in Cleo’s hands. When she saw Roma, in the US, she realized that it was also her story.
Vaca is also one of two million domestic workers in America, 90% of which are women, most of them African-American, Hispanic or of Asian descent, according to the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). A paper from 2012 showed that almost one quarter of domestic workers in the country lived in poverty, only 12% had medical insurance provided by their employer, and 7% had a pension plan.
“Domestic workers are one of the fastest growing work forces. However, nannies, cleaners and caretakers have been historically excluded from basic work protections,” according to the NDWA. So, the time has come to push for a Domestic Workers Bill Of Rights.
How is Cuaron’s movie related to this?
In the words of Lydia, an Ugandan immigrant, Roma shows the world the reality they live in, and she trusts this movie will “move the hearts and minds of politicians.” Ai-jen Poo, executive director of NDWA, says the time is right to pass a law that regulates that work force and is pushing for a law to protect domestic workers, alongside Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).
This week, the three women met other lawmakers in Congress to raise awareness about the need to issue the first Domestic Workers Bill Of Rights. Currently, only eight states have a law regarding this issue, and they are: New York, Illinois, Oregon, California, Nevada, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Hawaii.
That’s why the film’s producers joined forces with the NDWA “to use the universal history of Cleo to give visibility, dignity, power and respect” to the sector, said Nicole Starr, representative of Participant Media, to AFP.
“We want at least 2,000 domestic workers to see the movie. In Mexico, through exhibitions of our partners, we have already reached 3,000 people”.
All photos: @romacuaron
Do you have an inspiring story about social movements in America? Write a 500-word article and send it to storyteller@culturacolectiva.com for a chance to be published in our platform!
For more articles about Roma and other movies, click here:
Roma, Black Panther, And Lady Gaga: These Are The Nominees For The 91st Oscars
10 Forgotten Oscar Winning Movies You Should Really Rewatch