Together with Brazil and Mexico, Argentina has the most developed film industry of Latin America. Things have not always been like this. During the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983 a strict censorship put a stop to many forms of creativity. With the advent of democracy, Argentinean cinema started a new era with a touch of melancholy and dark times, with a serious undertone. In this period, the movies took mostly took place around the city of Buenos Aires.
Argentina is the only country in Latin America that has won an Academy Award (Oscar) for the Best Foreign Movie. This prize was won with the movies: ´El Secreto de sus Ojos´ and ´La Historia Oficial´.
You will find below a list with important and/or famous Argentinean directors and movies.
Juan José Campanella – El Secreto de sus Ojos: This Oscar-winning murder mystery excels in direction, photography, acting and suspense.
Leonardo Favio – El Romance del Aniceto y la Francisca: A beautiful classic of Favio about seduction, passion and true love.
Luis Puenzo – La Historia Oficial: This powerful movie is about a mother who is determined to find out the truth and her investigation brings her to discover the reality about the dictatorship in Argentina.
Maria Luisa Bemberg – Camila, Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Movie 1983. Based on a true story, the film is about the love of a young Jesuit priest and a wealthy socialite in the 1840’s.
Lucrecia Martel – La Ciénaga: The summer of a self-pitying wealthy Argentine family. Their family secrets and inappropriate relationships raise questions of faith, family and class structure.
Fabián Bielinsky – Nueve Reinas: A funny and entertaining film about two con artists and their big scam in the city of Buenos Aires. Starring Ricardo Darín, the film introduces you to world of the tricky porteños.
Pablo Trapero – Mundo Grua: The picture tells the story of Rulo, an ex-musician, who now has to earn his living as a worker. The sepia-toned cinematography enhances the authenticity of the film.
Carlos Sorín – Historias mínimas: Featuring a primarily non-professional cast, Historías minímas is a beautiful and heartwarming film with three characters and three different destinies in the South of Patagonia.
Juan Carlos Desanzo – El Polaquito: A sad and equally wonderful and unforgettable story about kids living and working at the Central Station of Buenos Aires. Vicious men take advantage of the kids and take everything they earn from begging, street performing, or prostitution. Abel Ayala powerfully plays Pola, a thirteen year old boy who falls in love with Pelu, a girl like him. Their innocent love is surrounded by corruption and violence.
