In Her Place is a historical drama from Chile, crafted by director Maite Alberdi, a notable filmmaker recognized with an Oscar nomination for her documentaries. The screenplay, penned by Inés Bortagaray and Paloma Salas, draws its inspiration from Alia Trabucco Zerán’s acclaimed 2019 book titled Las Homicidas.
Under the production expertise of Rocío Jadue, alongside brothers Juan and Pablo Larraín of Fabula, this gripping crime drama recounts the real-life events surrounding Chilean author María Carolina Geel (portrayed by Francisca Lewin), who infamously shot her lover at the Crillón Hotel in 1955. The narrative takes a closer look at Mercedes (played by Elisa Zulueta), a paralegal who becomes fascinated by Geel’s tumultuous past.
In Her Place made its debut at the prestigious 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on September 23, 2024, before hitting select theaters throughout Chile a week later on September 30, 2024. Additionally, the film became available for global audiences on Netflix starting October 11, 2024.
The official synopsis on Netflix describes the film as:
“When Chilean writer María Carolina Geel kills her lover, the case captures the attention of introverted legal secretary Mercedes, creating an unexpected bond between the two women.”
Filming for In Her Place took place entirely in Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital.
Filming Location Insights for In Her Place
The narrative is set against the backdrop of 1950s Santiago, with the entire production captured by cinematographer Sergio Armstrong. Santiago contributes to its reputation as a popular filming locale, having hosted a myriad of notable Hollywood productions, including the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, Spy Kids, and Gun Shy. Additionally, parts of the award-winning The Motorcycle Diaries were filmed in this city.
Plot Overview
Running for 1 hour and 35 minutes, In Her Place tells the compelling true story of María Carolina Geel, whose act of violence against her lover, Roberto Pumarino Valenzuela, at the Crillón Hotel in 1955 caused an uproar.
The film chronicles her sensational trial, where she was convicted of homicide and sentenced to three years behind bars. In a twist of fate, she was granted a presidential pardon, leading to her release in August 1956.
Central to the story is Mercedes, a fictional character serving as a paralegal for the judge overseeing the case. She is entrusted with accessing Geel’s opulent apartment to retrieve fresh garments for the jailed author.
Drawn into Geel’s world, Mercedes begins frequenting the apartment after work, where she explores the glamorous clothes, makeup, and fragrances of Geel, seeking an escape from her own mundane married existence. At home, she feels undervalued by her husband Efraín and their two teenage sons.
Mercedes soon grows infatuated with Geel’s independent lifestyle, yearning for the liberation and joy that was predominantly denied to women in the post-war era of mid-20th century Chile.
Character and Cast
The film features an ensemble cast, including:
- Elisa Zulueta as Mercedes
- Francisca Lewin as Maria Carolina Geel
- Marcial Tagle as Veloso
- Pablo Macaya as Ephraim
- Enrique Valenzuela as Gaspar
- Gabriel Urzua as Domingo
- Cristian Carvajal as Shell
- Sebastian Apiolaza as Retamal
- Lucas Jadue as Samuel
- Francisca Feuerhake as Lucia Guevara
- Pablo Schwarz as Montero
- Adams Pino as Suárez
- Nestor Cantillana as Rene
- Natalia Valdebenito as Matilde Guevara
- Carlos Donoso as Rolando De La Fuente
- Nicolas Saavedra as Roberto Pumarino
- Nicolas Zarate as Harness
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