I have to come clean. I began writing this review under a false notion of what I’d just watched. As I saw the story unfold. I took everything, except for a few flights of fantasy, as factual.  It wasn’t until I looked into some background to write this review (searching for the non-existent titular book on Amazon, which then led me to read further into the documentary’s background) that I realized my mistake.  That’s when I discovered much of what I’d seen was an invention. I might have twigged when I noticed Alfonso Cuarón (‘Gravity’, ‘Roma’) listed among the Executive Producers in the credits. I would add that this misunderstanding is on me, not the filmmaker.

So, now you’re more informed than I (and that you’ll hopefully let me off), let’s proceed…

‘How to Clean a House in 10 Easy Steps’ is a hybrid documentary blending fact and fantasy.  The facts are that the director and co-producer (and co-animator), Carolina González Valencia, had a mother, Beatriz Valencia, who emigrated to the United States from Colombia and found work as a domestic cleaner.

Divided into the ten steps of the title, the film uses animation, excerpts from home movies, dance numbers, and interviews with people close to, and inspired by, Beatriz to take us on a journey into this factual fantasy world.

The central theme is immigration and how people who move to another country, for any number of reasons, are viewed.  Often assumed to fall straight into low-skilled employment, it would seem unlikely that such a person might become a successful author of two books that would change lives. The success of their books would then provide a generous income and lead them to tour the country, giving talks and attending signings.  This is the premise Valencia and her mother use to challenge our perceptions.

The film also explores the emotional impact of emigration, which is rarely shown in the media. The act of writing is used not only to question the viewer’s misconceptions, but in the fantastical part of the movie, it’s used by Beatriz as a distraction from missing her family and to reduce the monotony of her work. It’s a way for her to communicate her pain. However, the emotional impact isn’t solely on the person leaving, but those being left. How do the loved ones, the children especially, deal with what’s often a very long-term absence?

I guess this review might have been completely different had I known the premise up front but in some ways, I’m glad I didn’t.  This is an extremely worthwhile, cleverly executed film that tackles a vital subject everyone has an opinion on. It’s the one thing we all think we know everything about, but few of us actually do, and I think this film will help improve that understanding.