- Set in the north of Argentina. Yolanda, a young girl of Wichi origin, tells in her native language (Wichi Lhämtes), the story of how, as a family maid in a "criollo" home, she has her hair unjustly cut: this is her most particular trait, her beauty. This event jeopardizes her cultural ties with the "criollo" world and defines her destiny.—SEGGIARO, DANIELA
- Yolanda, a Wichi girl, tells the story of Beauty in her native language (Wichi Lhämtes). Aged 16, she lives in a criollo village in the Argentinean North. As a child, her parents split up and she has had to work as a maid in Saras house, a 43 year old woman with whom she has a good relationship. The criollo family is humble and numerous. Sara, with illusion and sacrifice, organizes the Antonellas, her only daughters sweet fifteen party. She is somewhat lonely and overwhelmed in this task. Her husband lives in another village, her four other sons are a constant nuisance and money is scarce, not enough to buy everything the ideal party requires. Yolanda, silent and good-willed, is always helping Sara. From her native culture, Yolanda treasures her childhood memories in the community, her beautiful and long hair a gift given by her grand-mother at the time of birth and an occasional relationship with her mother, who visits her whenever she is able. On these visits, Guillermina, her mother, gives her advice and brings her gifts from the monte or woods. The womans recommendation is to always have a good relationship with her employers. Saras daughter, practices Spanish dances and plans on a performance for her party. One day, Sara takes the girls to the hairdresser. Yolanda has never cut her hair before and is afraid of going there but decides to trust her employer. Without saying a word, the hairdresser grabs the scissors and a moment later, Yolanda has very short hair. Yolanda is sick with sadness. Sara is worried on seeing her in such bad shape and regrets having lost the only help she had around her house. Antonella is possessed by a supernatural fear for what they have done. Sara has conflicts with her husband and decides to hire Amilcar, a local boy, to help her. The pleasing presence of Amilcar in the house along with his childhood memories help Yolanda overcome her state. During those days, she finds her hair in a box and secretly ritualizes her relationship with that braid. This binds her to her culture again. Sara feels guilty and is willing to fix her mistake. She takes Yolanda to the hairdresser again and has her hair permed. Antonella shelters herself in religious mysticism and by doing this, overcomes her fear. The party day arrives; Antonella appears in public, eager to perform her Spanish dance show. Yolanda discovers that Antonella is wearing the braid as an extension of her hair. Her precious gift is part of a teenagers costume. In the monte, Yolandas voice tells of how after running off from the party on that night, she decides to go back to her community and never come back or see her employer again. Like a minimalist poem, we can hear Yolandas voice listing, in her native Wichi language, the things she appreciates most in her culture: Our language as she concludes, highlighting her way of perceiving the world.
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