Berlinale World Premiere for Maite Alberdi’s ‘A Child of My Own’
Chilean filmmaker Maite Alberdi, known for her acclaimed documentary work, has returned to her roots with her latest film, “A Child of My Own” (“Un hijo propio”), after venturing into fiction with her debut feature “In Her Place.” Similar to her Oscar-nominated film “The Mole Agent,” Alberdi once again explores the docu-fiction hybrid format in “Child,” but this time she breaks the fourth wall in crucial moments.
Premiering at the Berlinale in a special presentation, “A Child of My Own” tells the story of Alejandra, who, under pressure from her new husband and his family, decides to fake her pregnancy to please them. What starts as a simple lie soon spirals into a complex charade that Alejandra must uphold for months before her spouse and his relatives. As the deception consumes her, Alejandra crosses a line that changes her life irreversibly.
Alberdi was inspired to make the film after meeting Alejandra during another project in Mexico. The filmmaker found Alejandra’s story of faking a pregnancy for an extended period to be astonishing and thought-provoking, especially in a chauvinistic environment. The film delves into the reasons behind Alejandra’s choice and the impact it had on her life.
In crafting the film, Alberdi chose a docu-fiction format to blend staged scenes with actors based on Alejandra’s testimony and viewpoint. This approach allowed the film to incorporate traditional documentary elements like interviews, observation, and archival footage, creating a narrative that spans 16 years of Alejandra’s life.
Produced by Gato Grande for Netflix, “A Child of My Own” was shot in Mexico with a talented cast led by Ana Celeste Montalvo Peña and features a mix of professional actors and real-life protagonists. Alberdi praises the Mexican actors for their dedication in embodying real people and creating a compelling on-screen portrayal.
The film’s premiere at the Berlin Film Festival holds special significance for Alberdi, as she values the festival’s emphasis on dialogue and audience engagement. She looks forward to sparking discussions and debates around the film’s themes and characters with viewers and the press.
With a script by Julián Loyola and Esteban Student, known for their work on “The Clan,” and production by Sandra Godinez, Carla González Vargas, and Maximiliano Sanguine, “A Child of My Own” boasts a multicultural team with members from Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
When asked about her preference for documentary filmmaking, Alberdi emphasizes her focus on storytelling rooted in reality, whether through fiction or non-fiction. For her, the essence lies in working with real-life stories as a foundation for her films.
