Katie Walsh | (TNS) Tribune News Service
Anamaria Marinca, known for her role in the intense abortion thriller '4 Months, 3 weeks and 2 Days,' plays a central character in Goran Stolevski’s 'Housekeeping for Beginners,' a gripping family drama. In this film, she portrays a lesbian social worker named Dita, who is determined to keep her non-traditional family together.
Marinca's portrayal of Dita, with her intense cigarette smoking and piercing gaze, is utilized effectively by Stolevski, who has been recognized for this film as the North Macedonian Oscar entry for best international film. The movie delves into the chaotic but heartwarming dynamics of this unique family, showcasing Marinca's talent and screen presence as the resilient Dita.
Stolevski's work consistently captures the poignant beauty of life, regardless of the genre or tone. His previous films include 'You Won’t Be Alone,' a life-affirming fairy tale, and 'Of an Age,' a queer romance set in a Melbourne beach town.
'Housekeeping for Beginners' opens with a lively scene of joyful singing and dancing, followed by a jarring encounter at a doctor's office where Suada, accompanied by Dita, confronts the doctor over his neglect of Roma patients. This juxtaposition sets the tone for the film, blending carefree moments with harsh realities of racial and sexual inequality.
Stolevski, who wrote, directed, and edited the film, skillfully weaves the details of the story into the family's bustling daily life. Dita and Suada are partners, raising Suada's children, and sharing their home with a gay roommate, Toni. Together, they also provide refuge to a group of young lesbians seeking a 'safe house.'
Suada, who is terminally ill, asks Dita to become the legal guardian of her daughters and to give them Toni's last name to protect them from discrimination. This unexpected request leads to Dita and Toni, two stressed individuals with different sexual orientations, getting married to fulfill Suada's wishes for her children's future.
In his film, Stolevski creates intricate and touching scenes within its unsettled, realistic style, portraying the contrast between the couple's forced pretense and their intense gazes. At a meeting with their child's teacher, condolences are given to Toni, but the camera focuses on the grieving expression of Dita, unable to openly mourn the loss of her long-time partner. Their civil wedding also holds a dual meaning, as Ali is present next to his partner Toni, but only as a witness. Later, at their lively, alcohol-filled party at home, Ali expresses gratitude to Dita for allowing him to observe the marriage ceremony with the man he loves.
The film avoids being overly precious or excessively explanatory about the societal and economic issues that influence their everyday lives: how they navigate the world, the risks they take, and the dreams they pursue. It depicts a kind of everyday oppression, portrayed as a series of bothersome bureaucratic hurdles, with potentially fatal consequences for not complying.
Despite the serious subject matter, the film maintains a dry humor, combined with genuine warmth. Dzada Selim delivers a standout performance as the clever Mia, and while Dita is the backbone of the family, Ali is its heart, with his ability to connect proving valuable when Vanesa's teenage rebellions escalate.
Stolevski's scripts always contain a line that deeply resonates with the essence of life itself, and “Housekeeping for Beginners” is no exception. “The need doesn't go away,” Dita assures Vanesa, “even as you grow old. It's a difficult reality.” It's a beautifully and brutally accurate way to describe a family, and the human condition, perfectly and concisely conveyed in Stolevski's unique style.
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‘HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS’
(Presented in Albanian, Macedonian, and Romani with English subtitles)
Rating: 4 stars (out of 4)
MPA rating: R (for sexual content, language throughout, and some teen drinking)
Duration: 1 hour and 47 minutes
How to watch: Available in theaters from Friday
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