Chiquititas: Rincon de Luz (Argentina, 2001)


Figure 1.--This movie poster for "Chiquitas" (2001) show the bibfront overalls and dresses that the children wear.

The title in Spanish Chiquitas: Rincon de Luz means "Litte Ones: Place of Light" refering endearingly to children. Belén is a young charmer of 20 years who, at the request of two fantastic personages, a young goblin and the wise person of the library, begins to become more assertive. Belén finds a book left in the library from which pages come out the laughing and weeping of boys. Belén decides to contact a group of orphans lodged in a dismal and sad orphanage run by a Colonel and his collaborator, Marl (Alejandra Flechner). Both are admired by the inhabitants of Villa Golden Red deer who contribute to the maintenance of the Home of Orphaned Children. Particularly the Intendant of the village, supports the Colonel and Marl, since she does not know their true intentions. The children in the film wear quite a number of different costumes.

Filmology

The title in Spanish Chiquitas means "Litte ones" using the diminuative to refer endearingly to the children, the orphans in the film. A HBC reader points out that gramatically the title "Chiquititas " means little girls or young women. He is quite correct. Chiquititas (little girls) began as a TV series about 1992-93. Originally it envolved a group of orphan girls, rather like Annie. The girls were all trying to be adopted. The program, proved very popular in Argentina. To add to its appeal, in the second season some boys were added to the show and it has continued this way to this day. I think that the producer of the show decided to keep the old name of the program because the show was already so well known and popular. An Argentine reader writes, "Gramatically the HBC reader is quite correct. Because boys are involved in the serie or movie it should be "chiquititos", but I think that the gender does not matter here. The name has become a trade mark so when we in Argentina say "chiquititas," it is now assummed that we are thinking of a group of orphans--both boys and girls.

Cast

Quite a number of children are involved in the film as the orphans. The cast of Chiquitas includes: Romina Yan ...Belén Facundo Arana ...Alejo Alejandra Flechner ...Marga Roberto Carnaghi ...Intendant Franklin Caicedo ...Sabio Juan Leyrado ...Colonel Cristian Belgrano ...Titán Nadia di Cello ...María Milagros Flores ...Juanita Natalia Melcon ...Tali Benjamín Rojas ...Bautista Felipe Colombo ...Felipe Camila Bordonaba ...Camila Sebastián Franccini ...Sebas Luisana Lopilato ...Luisana Agustín Sierra ...Agustín Federico Baron ...Federico Brian Vainberg ...Goblin Ana González Urquiza ...Belén (kid) Fátima Bullrich ...Belén (teenager)

Setting

The film looks to be set at the turn of the 20th century.

Plot

Belén is a young charmer of 20 years. She is a very inocent, loving and shy girl who finds it difficult to stand up for herself. If someones tells her this is good, she says ok that is good and if you say her this is bad she says ok, this is bad. One reader suggests thinking about her like Alice (from Alice in Wonderland), only a little older. The movie provides a turning point in her life that make her change her mind and become more assertive. Two fantastic personages, a young goblin and the wise person of the library, appear. Belén sees that she has to begin "thinking" for herself and standing up for what she believes. She stops accepting the opinions of others and starts making her own choices. That is why she leaves that world of innocence and majic has to fegin facing the world of reality and challenge of her own future.

Belén finds a book left in the library from which pages come out the laughing and weeping of boys. Belén decides to contact a group of orphans lodged in a dismal and sad orphanage run by a Colonel and his collaborator, Marl (Alejandra Flechner). Both are admired by the inhabitants of Villa Golden Red deer who contribute to the maintenance of the Home of Orphaned Children. Particularly the Intendant of the village, supports the Colonel and Marl, since she does not know their true intentions.

Contacting the boys will not be easy for Belén. The mistreat that they suffer inside the orphanage has made them distrustful and unfriendly. But Belén using her inate tenderness and love manages to tiuch the boys' hearts. In this effort, Belén is assisted by Alejo, a precious stone finder, obsessed with his quest to find the legendary Blue Diamonds.

Finally, after confrontations and persecutions, Belén, the boys and Alejo, manage to unmask the evil Colonel in front of the town. And thus, all together Belén helps form a great family and at the same time construct a new Home Corner of Light. This way, Belén reaches the end of her story, a story that is also a beginning.


Figure 2.--Here the boys wear old fashioned kneepants, red bows, jackets, and maroon socks. The girls wear a coordinated outfit with capes.

Costuming

The children in the film wear quite a number of different costumes. We note one boy wearing a modern-looking green blazer, but a bow rather than a tie. The boys at the oprphanage in several scenes wear white shirts and bib-front overalls. The girls wear pinafores and print dresses. Other scenes show the boys wearing short pants, kneepants, and longpants. In some the scenes the boys wear old fashioned kneepants, red bows, jackets, and maroon socks. The girls wear a coordinated gym tunic outfit with capes and maroon stockings. The girl's outfit shows a strong British influence rather like a school uniform.






Christopher Wagner







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Created: Devember 5, 2002
Last updated: December 6, 2002