Synopsis
Lili's Apron is a love story set amidst Argentina's economic crisis. The film opens with a couple having a quiet picnic; they are obviously in love with one another. They are quite gentle and affectionate as they spend the leisurely afternoon together. Ramon (Luis Ziembrowski), a restaurant cook, takes as much pride and pleasure in loving his wife as he does in preparing his lavish dishes. Lili (Paula Ituriza) is a mischievous maid, who likes to wear her employer's jewelry, wigs and dresses as she cleans the toilet. Their life seems carefree with their two children and a lot of love.
When her cleaning habits are discovered, Lili gets fired. And, when Ramon's boss wants him to cook with canned food in order to simplify and spend less, Ramon is fired, too.
Ramon attempts to find new work, sells sandwiches from a grocery cart, and even gives into Lili's plan to sell, quite unsuccessfully, Tupperware. But the economic situation in Argentina has created a tougher reality. As the couple struggles to pay their mortgage, their belongings are repossessed, and Lili's depression and eventual breakdown become more than Ramon can handle on his own. He sends Lili and their children to stay with his family in the countryside, and he is pushed to take a job never meant for him. Wearing Lili's wig and pretending to be a woman, Ramon becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy family.
Ramon checks in frequently with Lili, but lies about his new job, telling her he is working as a security guard. As Lili's mental health improves, she moves back home and Ramon's uneasiness with his job increases. Lili continues to desire time with him and doesn't understand why he can't stay at home with her. Her paranoia gets worse and she follows him to his new job and confronts him. The surprise of Ramon dressed as a woman allows for the two to laugh through this unbearable situation, but Lili's mind continues to generate confusion, paranoia and jealousy.
Finally, in an act of desperate rage, Lili kidnaps the daughter of Ramon's new boss. She accuses the young woman of having an affair with Ramon. Returning home and finding the two women in this chaotic state, Ramon once again saves the day. He phones his boss with a ransom request, the exchange is made, and Lili and Ramon leave the city for the countryside to bring their children home.
About the Director
Mariano Galperin was born in Buenos Aires in 1962. He began his career with photography at the age of 13, and since then has shown his work at the Museum of Modern Art Buenos Aires, the Museum of Fine Arts Buenos Aires, and the Museum of Modern Art Mexico. In 1985 he moved to New York to work as a photographer and study cinema at New York University. Galperin moved back to Buenos Aires in 1987 and started to direct advertising and video clips for local artists. He began to write scripts in 1989 and wrote 1000Boomerangs, which became his first feature film in 1993, screening at the La Habana, Sao Paulo, and Trieste Film Festivals. He also wrote Lili's Apron, which premiered at the 2004 Rotterdam Film Festival. Mariano is one of the first in his generation to begin making independent films in Argentina. At present he is working on his latest film, Dulce de Leche, while publishing a photography book titled "Attitud Buenos Aires". |
