La maternal

Carla lives in a small village outside Barcelona with her mother who is more interested in her new boyfriend than what her daughter is up to. With both an unstable home life and an unstable temper, the fourteen-year-old spends her days with her best friend Efrain. They ride bikes, play football, dance (Carla loves to dance) – and commit vandalism. When Child Welfare Services show up, they discover that Carla is five months pregnant. She is moved to a home for underage mothers and will have to find a new path through life.

Amazingly portrayed by Carla Quílez, Carla is a youngster who doesn't immediately come across as particularly charming or pleasant, but she slowly wins the audience's hearts. Director Pilar Palomero has chosen to use amateur actors who tell their own stories of teenage pregnancy. This is a move that works well and adds authenticity to the film. The friendship and cohesion between the characters add warmth and humor to an engaging story.