The Swimming Pool

La piscina

Overview

Childhood is coming to an end: twelve-year-old Lina is growing up and her body is changing. She must start making decisions about her identity which will go against her mother’s wishes and the traditional common sense. She looks and behaves in a masculine way and she plays football with the neighbourhood boys, who accept her as she is. Her mother Claudia, however, does not, and constantly criticizes her looks. She forces Lina to wear a dress to a party at the club. Ashamed, Lina runs away from the party and heads towards the swimming pool. She jumps in and frees herself from the dress and her mother’s authority.