Adolescence of Cain

Adolescence of Cain is a 1959 Venezuelan film and the first film of the Venezuelan filmmaker Román Chalbaud. It was based on his homonymous theatre play. The widow Juana (Carlota Ureta Zamorano) moves to the slums of Caracas with her son Juan (Edgar Jimenez). The film follows the impact of poverty on their relationships. The film has been described as "historically and artistically significant" in many ways. Synopsis Juana arrives with her son Juan to live in a hillside barrio of Caracas. They are poor, but Juan gets an apprenticeship nearby. Juan puts strains on his relationships after confessing his love to Carmen, a local girl, and walking in on his mother and her boyfriend, the sorcerer Encarnacin. Juan runs away. Though his friends seek him out he hides when he learns that his best friend Matias has impregnated Carmen. After Encarnacin is arrested, Juana descends into alcoholism and abandons Juan, who moves in with Carmen's mother. After some time, Matias finds Juan, who has now taken his place both at work and at home with Carmen. Matias, feeling betrayed, joins Juana. They go to pray at the church of Santa Teresa, . Juan has achieved financial and romantic success, but has lost his family and his innocence.