Watch Las Ninas

Las Ninas, a Spanish film directed by Pilar Palomero, tells the story of Celia, an 11-year-old girl who is forced to leave her small town in the Spanish province of Zaragoza to attend a private school in Zaragoza city. The movie takes place during the 1990s and is set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing country. Celia is initially hesitant about her new surroundings and finds it difficult to adjust to her new life, but she soon befriends Brisa, a charismatic girl in her class who lives in the same building as her. Brisa introduces Celia to a world of pop music, fashion, and makeup, and Celia happily joins in.

As the school year progresses, Celia becomes more and more fascinated with the idea of becoming a woman and exploring her sexuality. She is particularly intrigued by an older girl named Aurora, who is the school's resident "bad girl." Aurora smokes, drinks, and flirts with boys, and Celia is drawn to her rebellious spirit.

Meanwhile, Celia's relationship with her mother becomes strained as she starts to question the traditional gender roles that her mother insists on. Celia's mother believes that a woman's place is in the home, while Celia wants to explore the wider world outside of her small town and take control of her own life.

Palomero does an excellent job of exploring the conflicts and complexities of growing up in a conservative, patriarchal society. The film is visually stunning, with gorgeous cinematography that captures both the beauty and the melancholy of Spain's industrial suburbs.

The performances in the movie are all fantastic, particularly by the three young actresses who play Celia, Brisa, and Aurora. Andrea Fandos, who plays Celia, is particularly impressive, conveying a wide range of emotions without ever seeming false or over-the-top.

Overall, Las Ninas is a beautifully-made film that explores important themes of gender, sexuality, and growing up. Palomero has crafted a nuanced and thoughtful portrait of a young girl struggling to find her place in the world, and the result is a movie that is both moving and insightful. Highly recommended for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, or who wants to explore the complexities of growing up female in a patriarchal society.

Las Ninas is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.