Your Iron Lady tells the story of Teresa, played by a great Victoria del Rosal, a single mother navigating her recent move to the United States to escape a 22-year abusive marriage in Mexico. With one adult child still in Mexico and three living with her, Teresa struggles to make a new life for her family in Los Angeles.
Writer/Director Jorge Xolalpa Jr. based this film on an autobiographical short story written by his mother, Teresa Ramirez Galan. Set in 1998, when Teresa immigrated to the U.S. and lived in Los Angeles, the narrative of the film centers around a specific portion of Teresa’s life as we see her in a turbulent living situation with her sister, dealing with her estranged husband, and ultimately being forced to find her own way of establishing a better life for herself and her children.
Victoria del Rosal shines as Teresa. She can deliver her lines with real emotion and immediacy, but can also speak a thousand words with a single look. Battling her selfish relatives and manipulative ex-husband, in addition to the steep challenges many immigrants face, she must learn to fight for herself and her kids in all aspects of her life. A compelling tale of resilience and the power of family, but an expertly understated work of film art.
The movie was shot in 12 days with still scenes, and very little camera movement. The production is very minimal and this film might be an inspiration or invitation to anybody who wants to shoot a movie if one has a good story and script.
Xolalpa, the writer and director who dreamed of becoming a pilot, ended up as a lawyer and is now a full time filmmaker. He shot his first movie with an idea and an iPhone6 in 2015 and he has now produced one movie every year since with his own production company, Mighty Aphrodite Pictures.
Your Iron Lady is a moving and emotional portrayal of Latino immigrants and their struggle to survive in a country that they don’t fully understand, but where they hope their children and their family can have a better future. “We are not on vacation here” tells Teresa to her daughter caught drinking. “We are here to survive.”
Powerful are the scenes where the two brothers and two daughters hug together with mama Teresa who transcends love and total understanding for a better future. Since opening at the Florida Film Festival last August, the film has participated in various film festivals and conquered the heart of audiences, winning a few awards.