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Buenos Aires Vice Versa
Buenos Aires Vice Versa (1996) is an Argentine and Dutch drama film, written and directed by Alejandro Agresti. The film was produced by Alejandro Agresti and Axel Harding, and co-produced by Emjay Rechsteiner.
The picture deals with the alienation felt by the children who survived the Argentine military dictatorship of the 1970s.
Plot
Opening Title Graphic:
As the film begins a message appears and reminds the audience that approximately 30,000 people died during the Dirty War due to the military dictatorship's reign during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The story is then dedicated to the surviving children of the murdered. Two such children, now adults are the main characters. One, Daniela (Vera Fogwill), now has her degree in film and is having trouble finding work. She's hired by an older couple, living in recluse, to film Buenos Aires for them. She goes out and documents the city. Yet, her customers are upset as they don't remember the Buenos Aires Daniela has filmed. She then shoots a reel of tourist-type shots. The other is her sleazy friend who works in a low-rent motel.
The story is largely episodic.
Background
The film is based on the aftermath of the real political events that took place in Argentina after Jorge Rafael Videla's reactionary military junta assumed power in March 24, 1976. During the junta's rule: the parliament was suspended, unions, political parties and provincial governments were banned, and in what became known as the Dirty War between 9,000 and 30,000 people deemed left-wing "subversives" disappeared from society.
Cast
Vera Fogwill as Daniela
Nicolas Pauls as Damian
Fernan Miras as Mario
Mirta Busnelli as Loca tv
Carlos Roffe as Service
Mario Paolucci as Amigo
Laura Melillo as Ciega
Harry Havilio as Tio
Nazareno Casero as Bocha
Carlos Galettini as Don Nicolas
Floria Bloise as Dona Amalia
Ines Molina as Chica
Distribution
The film was first presented at the Mar del Plata Film Festival in November 1996. It opened wide in Argentina on September 18, 1997.
The film was screened at various film festivals, including: the Cannes Film Festival, France; the Contemporary Latin American Film Series at UCLA, Los Angeles; the Oslo Film Festival, Norway; the Havana Film Festival, Cuba; and others.
Critical reception
Film critic Karen Jaehne praised the film, and wrote, "The film tells you enough about each character to raise your sympathy and not enough to let us see any possible resolution of the dilemma of loneliness. It's an intelligent film that observes mannerisms and social behavior in a way that makes you nod and say, yes, that's how it is...It builds toward a very powerful ending that reminds us of all urban disaster, but the problem that has made Buenos Aires a metropolitan orphanage is undeniable. Buenos Aires - Vice Versa is a wise film - worth watching and will undoubtedly make it to a festival near you." Jaehne, Karen. Film Scouts, film review, May 17, 1996.
Awards
Wins
Mar del Plata Film Festival: Best Ibero-American Film, Alejandro Agresti; FIPRESCI Prize, Alejandro Agresti; OCIC Award - Honorable Mention, Alejandro Agresti; 1996.
Havana Film Festival: Special Jury Prize, Alejandro Agresti; 1996.
Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor; Best Editing, Alejandro Agresti, Alejandro Brodersohn; Best Film; Best New Actress, Vera Fogwill; Best Original Screenplay, Alejandro Agresti; 1998.
Nominations
Netherlands Film Festival: Golden Calf, Best Director of a Feature Film, Alejandro Agresti; 1997.
Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor, Best Director, Alejandro Agresti; Best New Acto, Nazareno Casero; Best New Actor), Nicolas Pauls; Best Supporting Actor, Carlos Roffe; Best Supporting Actress, Mirta Busnelli; 1998.
External links
Buenos Aires viceversa at cinenacional.com .
Buenos Aires viceversa film review at Cineismo by Guillermo Ravaschino .
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Buenos Aires Vice Versa
