Tamara and the Ladybug

This minimalistic film takes us to the outskirts of a big city, where one morning, the mentally disabled Tamara realizes that her brother Paco, who looks after her, has gone missing. But Tamara doesn't panic; all alone, she observes the usual rituals and routines of a woman on the fringes of society. That is until she kidnaps a child, who she calls Ladybug, and begins to care for her. This utterly lovely, simple story, captivatingly told and free of formal frills, manages to be sincere and moving without descending into emotional blackmail or kitsch. This is thanks in part to the lead actress, who is almost constantly onscreen. With a minimum of dialogue, she brilliantly uses her expressive face and all other means available to create a remarkable character, one that, for all her madness, is capable of feeling and expressing love. And then the police show up. (Art Film Fest)