Todos Somos Estrellas

The Huanbachano family from Lima's tenements all watch the popular TV show We're All Stars; aspiring actress Rita is, however, the one who submits the forms applying for an appearance. A mix-up at the TV office sends two-faced presenter Mery and her cameraman along to the house, but student Tabo blows the show when he reveals that his absent real father is to be covertly replaced by his mum's naff suitor Nicolas. Degregori's engaging if facile satire has a sit-com plot and surface texture, but its moments of pathos are genuinely felt. The awesome music (dramatic moments signalled by bassoon farts, etc) shows how seriously the director stays true to the story's TV-saturated milieu. It's a surprisingly non-patronising film, which simultaneously exposes and dignifies the family's aspirations and conflicts, ending in a spirit of gentle celebration of their collective indviduality.