Shelter Me - Lesbian Movie Review - Shelter Me

Shelter Me (Riparo)

Sheltering

Returning from a lovely holiday abroad, Anna and Mara discover that they’ve brought home much more than beautiful photographs and lasting memories. Anis, a young Moroccan immigrant, has stashed away in their car to cross the border into Italy, having paid the border patrol to secure his passage. Although wary and confused about how best to manage the situation with which they’ve been confronted, the couple decides to care for him. How will they navigate this stranger, his entrance into their lives and domesticity? What will it mean to protect and shelter each other, their individual selves, Anis?

Class/Identity/Race/Culture

Anna and her family own a shoe factory, where Mara is employed. Anna’s mother is less than happy with their relationship, thinking Mara beneath her daughter—also struggling with their lesbianism. Anna hires Anis to work in the factory, where he labors undocumented and under very uncertain circumstances. He is treated as less than the other employees because of his immigrant status, his background and culture, his youth and inexperience. Anis is puzzled by Anna and Mara’s partnership. One night, he watches them sleeping in their shared bed. He questions them both, revealing his own values and belief systems: “Are you sisters? Why are you not married to men?” He beseeches them, “You should have a husband, children.” The challenges of class, identity, race, and culture permeate the film, creating fascinating conflicts and personal dramas.

Maria de Medeiros

Where have I seen this actress before?! Shrek 2? No. Transformers? No. Oh, yeah. She’s the brilliant performer from Henry and June and more recently, Pulp Fiction. Quirky, eccentric, powerful in her character depiction—did I mention hot?—her presence on screen is memorable and mesmerizing.

Slow Start is Redeemed in the End

My Rating: 4 stars. The film got off to a bit of a slow start, but I was seduced by its lush cinematography, the complexities of the questions raised, and the dynamic attraction between the two women, all three characters I would add. Shelter Me is a compelling story that moves you to reflect further on the confluence of such varied issues and how to meet the tensions and rewards that arise.