When you first hear the premise of Virgin Margarida you think that this is something that could have never happened. However, this film is a fictional account based upon stories collected by the director, Licinio Azevedo, during time spent in an actual re-education center for Mozambique’s prostitutes. Set in 1975 during Mozambique’s rebirth after years of colonial rule. A young girl, Margarida, is accidentally taken into custody after a raid that was meant to rid the city of its prostitutes takes place. The women are taken to a “re-education” camp in the middle of nowhere. They are then taught how to be “proper” women.
There are a lot of interesting dynamics at play in this film, particularly because the soldiers that are assigned to keep guard over the women are women. In Virgin Margarida, you will see women who struggle with internal conflict as they follow the orders of patriarchy that doesn’t serve them or the women imprisoned in the camp. You will also see women who band together to survive their hardships.
This is a film that should not only be seen, but absorbed and discussed.