Non-judgmental human connection is key to a life well lived, as seen in the Spanish documentary Cuidadoras (The Care). Directed by Martina Matzkin & Gabriela Uassouf, Cuidadoras explores the similar yet varied perspectives from inside an Argentine nursing home. A summary of reflections from both the residents who live there and the caregivers who provide incredible service, Cuidadoras is a tender watch that will leave you full of gratitude.

The Differences That Actually Unite Us

Maia, Yenifer, and Luciana are new employees at Hogar Santa Ana, a public nursing home in Buenos Aires. All three being trans women, their employment came through an unconventional path. As former sex workers, Maia, Yenifer, and Luciana found an opportunity to leave the streets behind for a fresh start in the healthcare industry by becoming interns at the center. Trading a life of desperation for one of nursing and caretaking, the women find themselves comfortable in their new reality. The fact that their new profession is vastly different from their past life experience does not diminish their ability to succeed as caregivers. In fact, they connect with the residents so much more deeply than expected.

The caregivers engage in intimate talks with their older patients about love, loneliness, family dynamics, and acceptance. Yes, they are constantly misgendered by some of the older residents, but they accept this with grace. As they listen intently to the colorful stories of their residents’ past, Maia, Yenifer, and Luciana take the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with people whom they would never have met otherwise. Their connections are the heartbeat of the film, the fundamental core that is equally engaging, affirming, and gratifying.

Directors Statement

“In 2018, we learned that the Psychology Department at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) was helping trans women who were sex workers enroll in a Home Care Worker certification program. We immediately saw the significance: for trans women, imagining old age is an act of exercising a right that has historically been denied to them. Given that their life expectancy remains significantly lower than that of cisgender people, we were struck by the question: How does one care for an older person when reaching old age itself feels like a privilege? That question led us to observe more closely.”

Takeaway

Cuidadoras beautifully portrays the poetic transcendence of prejudice that allows three trans women the opportunity for a fresh start. Beyond a successful film festival run in Buenos Aires, the film is screening for healthcare professionals, serving as a vital tool for discussion and reflection on public care. Next up, Cuidadoras will screen at the 2026 True/False Film Fest.