Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2009

Julia Zárate's life has just changed forever. She’s woken up to find blood on her hands, pillow, and all over her apartment. She's a suspect in her boyfriend’s murder—but she can't remember anything. Pregnant, she must give birth to her child while in prison, awaiting trial. There, Julia meets Marta, and they quickly form an intimate relationship that will extend beyond prison walls. While learning that she is no longer able to trust people from her previous life and fighting to retain custody of her child, Julia becomes a fierce self-advocate.

One part crime drama and two parts character study, LION'S DEN is refreshingly free from clichéd visions of life in women's prison. Filmed in Argentinean prisons, the actual inmates used as extras blend seamlessly into the footage, lending an extra air of realism to an already affecting film. Martina Gusman's strong performance as a young woman becoming a powerful leader and mother leads the audience through fear, empathy, and triumph. Director Pablo Trapero’s clear concern for the subject matter will move you as you watch Julia face life's unexpected harsh realities.