In celebration of Mama's 100th birthday, a Spanish extended family gathers at their ancestral country estate. Among the attendees is Ana, married to Antonio, who once worked as a nanny here many years ago. Beneath the veneer of cordiality and politeness, bitter realities simmer, as significant changes have occurred within the family: José died three years prior, Juan has parted ways with his wife Luchi, and only Fernando, an enthusiast of kite-flying, remains with his elderly mother. The young girls Ana once cared for have long since transitioned out of childhood.
As an observer, Ana discerns that this family has disintegrated into its individual fragments, with the forsaken Luchi having misappropriated the funds of the plump and scarcely mobile matriarch. Upon the arrival of her ex-husband Juan for the celebratory occasion, the deepest fissures among the family members are laid bare: Together with Fernando and Luchi, Juan plots nothing short of the matriarch's demise to gain access to her inheritance. And Ana, the onlooker and former governess, will soon find herself among the mourners, as her husband Antonio embarks on a dalliance with Natalia, another member of the family.
Filmed in 1978 in Torrelodonos, the movie premiered on September 17, 1979, at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
Reception
Critical response
Carlos Aguilar remarked that this film revisits the character dynamics of Ana and the Wolves, albeit with a chosen "tragicomic perspective."[3]
According to Lexikon des internationalen Films: "Saura reflects the ongoing process of change in Spain's state and society in a manner reminiscent of a continuation of his film Ana and the Wolves. Although imbued with satire, it portrays a relaxed, almost affectionate attachment to its subject. Despite the usual symbolism, it remains a relatively accessible film by the Spanish director."[4]
Accolades
The film garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally. In addition to an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, Mama Turns 100 secured the CEC Award from the Spanish Authors Association Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos, the Sant Jordi Film Award for lead actress Rafaela Aparicio, and a Special Jury Prize for director Saura at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
