- The story of an obsessive relationship between a young French woman and an older Bolivian man. Their unusual romance, like the country in which they live, is transforming, sometimes violent and difficult to understand.
- Sirwiñakuy : (Living together)
Bolivia, the country, is changing. The once repressed indigenous peoples, such as the Aymaras and Quechuas, are making their voices heard in, often multitudinous, marches to the city. One such march is taking place outside a charming coffee house in the middle of La Paz, where Luis Montéz, a middle aged man from the decaying ruling class, is having coffee with Beto. a friend and associate.
Luis spots Anouk, an enigmatically beautiful young French woman who is eating with obvious bad manners while conversing with her friend.
After both Anouks and Luis friends leave, Luis approaches Anouk and, without introducing himself, asks her to go with him. To his surprise she accepts.
The pair take a taxi to Anouks rented studio where Luis orders her to pack her things. She hesitates, but she does. She realizes that for Luis, this is not a pick up for a one night stand.
Luis takes Anouk to his crumbling old colonial house. Luis has decided to make Annouk participate of his own version of a Sirwiñakuy.
Anouk surprises Luis and herself, by going along with him, subjecting herself to his often sadistic attempts to make her become the woman that lies beneath what he sees as her childish exterior.
For the Aymaras (one of the official 36 indigeneous nations that make the Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia), marriage begins with the sirwiñakuy. A man takes the woman of his choice home, often by force or trickery, where they begin to live together. It is a test to see if they will get along. A sirwiñakuy can last a few days or even years.
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