El patio de mi cárcel (2008) Reviews

• Women behind bars

  jotix1002011-08-18

  Here is a Spanish film about women in prison. The story centers on Isa, a bank robber that happens to be caught when she and a male accomplice try to hold up a small bank. Their plan gets nowhere, but it serves to land Isa in jail, something she reacquaints herself with most of the women being held. As a way to make the women become interested in areas where they have not been exposed, Mar, an intelligent prison guard, appalled by the inmates living conditions, decides to involve the women in theater, something most of the women have no experience at all. Mar works toward getting these ladies into an art form they know nothing about, with surprising results. Engaging them in the arts strike a positive note in the way they see themselves and give them something to look forward after their release from prison. Directed by Belen Macias, and based on a screenplay written by the director and Arantxa Cuesta, the film shows women jail life in Spain as it probably is, in sharp contrast with the way other countries deal with the female prison experience in other countries. The best excuse for watching the film is Veronica Echegui in the role of Isa. Candela Pena is Mar, the guard wanting to change the way women vegetate inside without any positive outlook. The ensemble cast shows an affinity to the material.