Argentine cinema has received much applause in recent decades for its creativity and narrative capacity. To exemplify these characteristics that attract attention from all over the world, the has selected ten productions ranging from delicate dramas to acid comedies. All the films on the list can currently be watched on streaming services. Find out more below.
The Official Story (1985)
Professor Alicia (Norma Aleandro) is confronted with dark secrets regarding the military regime in Argentina after her friend’s return from exile. After discovering the possibility that her adopted daughter was taken from murdered political prisoners, she decides to investigate the girl’s origins and uncover dark truths about the country’s dictatorship. The production was the first of Argentine cinema to win an Oscar for best international film, in 1986.
Netflix.
Duration: 1h55.
Wild Horses (1995)
An elderly man breaks into a bank with the intention of taking possession of his savings seized by the financial institution. Armed, he escapes with an employee hostage and the two set off on a journey to Patagonia. The film deals with the search for justice and redemption.
Netflix.
Duration: 2h4min.
Waiting for the Messiah (2000)
The drama, the first of an informal trilogy that includes “Broken Embrace” and “The Laws of the Family,” chronicles the intertwined trajectories of Ariel (Daniel Hendler), a young Jewish man in search of identity, and Santamaría (Enrique Piñeyro) , a recently fired bank employee who was kicked out of his house. The film presents these characters’ journey of self-discovery and spiritual search in the vastness of Buenos Aires.
Amazon Prime Video.
Duration: 1h40.
The Broken Embrace (2004)
Ariel (Daniel Hendler) is a young Argentinean who lives with his mother and lives aimlessly. While searching for answers about his father, who disappeared during the Yom Kippur war in Israel, he faces romantic dilemmas, develops reflections on identity and dreams and tries to reconcile past and present.
Amazon Prime Video.
Duration: 1h41m.
The Laws of the Family (2006)
The organized and peaceful life of Ariel Perelman (Daniel Hendler), a lawyer and university professor, takes a turn for the worse when he falls in love with Sandra (Julieta Díaz), one of his former students. Deciding to get closer to her, Ariel begins attending her Pilates classes and changes her usual routine.
Amazon Prime Video.
Duration: 1h35.
The Price You Pay (2010)
In the midst of the so-called “Corralito,” a banking freeze that devastated Argentina in late 2001, Jordi Puigmartí (Francesc Garrido) travels to Buenos Aires in search of a government contract. There he will face ethical dilemmas and political power and discover that the price of success may be higher than he imagined.
Amazon Prime Video.
Duration: 1h43m.
Thesis on a Murder (2013)
Roberto Bermudez (Ricardo Darín) is a professor and criminal lawyer who suspects that one of his students is involved in a murder near the university. As he investigates the case, he faces a moral and intellectual conflict in his search for the truth.
Amazon Prime Video.
Duration: 1h46m.
Wild Portraits (2014)
The film is an anthology of stories that explore the same theme: the border between civilization and chaos. The production delves into unpredictable situations, betrayals and tragedies that push the characters into circumstances beyond their control. Each of the six stories brings to light fundamental aspects of human nature and offers impactful reflections on society.
HBO Max.
Duration: 2h2min.
My Masterpiece (2018)
Renzo Nervi (Luis Brandoni), a painter in decline, and Arturo Silva (Guillermo Francella), an art dealer, face financial problems. After an unexpected accident, an illegal opportunity to profit in the corrupt art market presents itself for both of them. As they face ethical dilemmas, the two explore the possibility that could change their lives.
Netflix.
Duration: 1h44m.
Tomy’s Notebook (2020)
Maria (Valeria Bertuccelli) is a mother suffering from terminal cancer who decides to write her memoirs to convey her love to her son. To leave a legacy of comfort and inspiration, she records in her notebook her reflections on her life and her moments with her boyfriend.
Netflix.
Duration: 1h23m.
*With information from IMDb AND I love cinema.
Post-Argentine cinema: 10 films to watch in streaming appeared for the first time on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
