Sexual diversity and marginalized populations play an important role in The Fish Child, the second film by the Argentine director Lucía Puenzo, represented in the character of “la Guayi”, Ailín (Mariela Vitale), who is a Paraguayan immigrant in Buenos Aires that works as a maid at the residence of an important judge (Pepe Munné)’s family, the Brontés, located in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of the city. Lala, judge Bronté’s daughter, has been involved in a romantic relationship with Ailín, with whom she plans to run away to Paraguay. The plot’s timeline is fragmented and not at all lineal, skipping between the present and past. Through the development of the story line, we witness Lala’s solitary journey to a small town in Paraguay after the death of her father. It becomes clear that the death of Judge Bronté caused by an overdose and Ailín is accused of his murder. Lala returns to Buenos Aires to find Ailín and the two girls flee to Paraguay.

Thomas J. Shalloe

Arizona State University