Roma

Aristarain’s ‘most achieved work to date’ (Variety), Roma is a compassionate look back at the Argentinean director’s own spiritual and political education. Quietly affecting and rewardingly intense, it offers a rites-of-passage tale set against the turmoil of Argentina in the ’60s and ’70s. Young journalist Manuel Cueto is hired to transcribe a middle-aged novelist’s memoirs. Joaquin Gonez (Sacristan) finally trusts him enough to recall his past – especially Roma (Pecaro), his bohemian mother. In a neat narrative trick, Botto plays both Cueto and the younger Gonez. (Independent Cinema Office)