December 22, 2022
FILM: ARGENTINA 1985
DIRECTED BY: SANTIAGO MITRE
STARRING: RICARDO DARIN, GINA MASTRONICOLA, FRANCISCO BERTIN
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The Motion Picture Academy released its shortlist for, among other categories, Best International Feature Film of the year. Argentina 1985 is one of fifteen films vying for a slot in the final five nominees to be announced on January 24th. It might stand a shot although there is some pretty stiff competition out there this year including films I previously reviewed such as Holy Spider, All Quiet on the Western Front, and EO.
Argentina 1985 is based on the true story of a prosecutor who attempts to convict the country’s many former military generals, referred to as “guerillas” throughout the film, of substantial human crimes. Ricardo Darin stars as Julio Strassera, a seasoned lawyer and family man. At the start of the film, we are introduced to that small family which serves as a major support to Strassera as he begins exploring the possibility of a trial. What’s enjoyable about the film is how well developed these characters are, particularly his son Javier, played very energetically by Santiago Armas Estevarena. He’s fearless and confident and takes total interest in his father’s work. Silvia, his wife, played by Alejandra Flechner, is strong but dutiful, always offering observations and ideas for her husband. There’s also a daughter who seems to be involved with a man on the “wrong side” who is appropriately intelligent yet rebellious for her age. Each of these figures signals the importance of family to help take down a major military dictatorship.
This extends to the prosecution team Strassera begins to assemble. In what ends up as a very amusing scene, several youthful people are interviewed to work with Strassera. Cuts are fast between them as their various quirks are uncovered. They’re all fresh faces ready to fight for justice and quickly become part of a solid community.
Once established, the film begins to feel like part of the journalistic genre (She Said, Spotlight, All the President’s Men) as the various team members seek and sort out details surrounding the case. The film then goes a bit darker as we learn just what exactly the regime is being accused of. Witnesses and victims come forth with emotional details about abductions, rapes, killings, and torture committed by the “guerillas” previously in charge of the country.
This isn’t a dark film though but one that includes a nice balance of tragic details with some lighter scenes that are humorous, and often quite witty. The film culminates in a powerful, long, closing statement by Strassera. There’s plenty of emotion in the room and shots from the actual trial edited into the scene making it a powerful climax to the trial and film.
Overall, this is an enlightening project about a major moment in Argentinian history. While some of it may be a bit talky for a mass audience and, outside of a few interesting editing choices, doesn’t exactly come across as a work of cinematic innovation, it still makes some very profound statements, including how sadism is not part of a country’s ideology but a moral perversion. These are perspectives that can certainly extend and be relatable far beyond Argentina’s borders.
Argentina 1985 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
FILM: ARGENTINA 1985
DIRECTED BY: SANTIAGO MITRE
STARRING: RICARDO DARIN, GINA MASTRONICOLA, FRANCISCO BERTIN
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The Motion Picture Academy released its shortlist for, among other categories, Best International Feature Film of the year. Argentina 1985 is one of fifteen films vying for a slot in the final five nominees to be announced on January 24th. It might stand a shot although there is some pretty stiff competition out there this year including films I previously reviewed such as Holy Spider, All Quiet on the Western Front, and EO.
Argentina 1985 is based on the true story of a prosecutor who attempts to convict the country’s many former military generals, referred to as “guerillas” throughout the film, of substantial human crimes. Ricardo Darin stars as Julio Strassera, a seasoned lawyer and family man. At the start of the film, we are introduced to that small family which serves as a major support to Strassera as he begins exploring the possibility of a trial. What’s enjoyable about the film is how well developed these characters are, particularly his son Javier, played very energetically by Santiago Armas Estevarena. He’s fearless and confident and takes total interest in his father’s work. Silvia, his wife, played by Alejandra Flechner, is strong but dutiful, always offering observations and ideas for her husband. There’s also a daughter who seems to be involved with a man on the “wrong side” who is appropriately intelligent yet rebellious for her age. Each of these figures signals the importance of family to help take down a major military dictatorship.
This extends to the prosecution team Strassera begins to assemble. In what ends up as a very amusing scene, several youthful people are interviewed to work with Strassera. Cuts are fast between them as their various quirks are uncovered. They’re all fresh faces ready to fight for justice and quickly become part of a solid community.
Once established, the film begins to feel like part of the journalistic genre (She Said, Spotlight, All the President’s Men) as the various team members seek and sort out details surrounding the case. The film then goes a bit darker as we learn just what exactly the regime is being accused of. Witnesses and victims come forth with emotional details about abductions, rapes, killings, and torture committed by the “guerillas” previously in charge of the country.
This isn’t a dark film though but one that includes a nice balance of tragic details with some lighter scenes that are humorous, and often quite witty. The film culminates in a powerful, long, closing statement by Strassera. There’s plenty of emotion in the room and shots from the actual trial edited into the scene making it a powerful climax to the trial and film.
Overall, this is an enlightening project about a major moment in Argentinian history. While some of it may be a bit talky for a mass audience and, outside of a few interesting editing choices, doesn’t exactly come across as a work of cinematic innovation, it still makes some very profound statements, including how sadism is not part of a country’s ideology but a moral perversion. These are perspectives that can certainly extend and be relatable far beyond Argentina’s borders.
Argentina 1985 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.