AllMovie

A shy and withdrawn woman starts her life over in an unforgiving new land in this drama from writer and director Fernando Diaz. Twenty-something Maria (Maria Laura Cali) works an unglamorous job at a nightclub in Barcelona, which allows her to lead a quiet, simple life as she keeps to herself. Maria's world is upended when she gets word that her one and only relative has passed on, and she travels to a small town in Argentina to claim her inheritance. Maria decides to stay in Argentina and go into business for herself, but putting down roots in the village proves difficult; many of her neighbors are openly distrustful of her, good-looking Juan (Arnaldo Andre) hardly seems interested in a simple friendship, and local merchant Tulio (Rolly Serrano) at first offers good wishes but turns his back when she needs his help. It's not until Maria's life goes into a tailspin that she finds the benevolence she needs from the community. La Extranjera (aka The Stranger) was an official selection at the 2008 Montreal World Film Festival.