Elisa, vida mía

Elisa, Vida mía (English: Elisa, My Life) is a 1977 Spanish drama film written and directed by Carlos Saura. The film stars Saura's long-term companion and frequent collaborator, Geraldine Chaplin. She stars alongside Fernando Rey, who won the Best Actor award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival for his performance.

Plot
On a secluded farmhouse in Castile and León, Luis is reunited with his estranged daughter, Elisa, after a 20-year separation. On the farmhouse, Luis writes what sometimes appears to be both an autobiography and a novel. The book is played out with memories of the past, such as when Luis walked out on his family and is mixed with fantasies about Elisa's adult life and her failed marriage.

Cast

 * Geraldine Chaplin as Elisa Santamaria/mother of Elisa
 * Fernando Rey as Luis
 * Ana Torrent as Elisa as child
 * Norman Briski as Antonio
 * Arantxa Escamilla as Niña Isabel
 * Jacobo Escamillaa as Niño
 * Francisco Guijar as Médico
 * Joaquín Hinojosa as Julián
 * Isabel Mestres

Reception
Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised Chaplin and Rey; "The main reasons to see the film are the two leading performances. Mr. Rey is always an interesting presence, and Miss. CAs in all of her Saura films, Chaplin reveals qualities of feeling, control and beauty that no other directors have ever found."

Saura was nominated for the Palme d'Or for the film, and won Best Director at Spain's Cinema Writers Circle Awards.