I, the Worst of All (DVD, 2003)

If you have ever looked at the 200 peso Mexican bill, you will see the main character in this movie. This is a true story of one of the world's first women to actually have an effect on women's rights. But she was out of her time. She lived at a time when women were practically "property", unless they were born wealthy. Sor Juana managed to find her nitch in her day by going into the convent where she could write at her leisure and meet with royalty and nobility. What is ironic about this is that Mexico, often at odds with the Catholic Church, now has this woman on it's currency as a worldwide hero. She was so influential in her day that her works were read even in Europe. But when the Spanish court, in what is now Mexico, was no longer available to protect her, the jealous and woman-despising archbishop finally did her in. Some suspect she died of the plague by infecting herself after her books were taken away from her. The acting is good and the screenplay well done. It is in Spanish with English subtitles available. Great for those wanting to practice their Spanish and also worthy of those who want to see a facinating episode of history if they don't mind reading the subtitles.