Argentina (1985): Drama

Luis Puenzo's shattering 1985 story about the collision of middle-class aspirations and government lies in Argentina packs a wallop a viewer never forgets. A happy couple (Norma Aleandro and Héctor Alterio) enamored of their careers (she's a teacher proffering pro-government revisionist history, he's a successful entrepreneur) are made all the more joyous by the fulfilling presence of an adopted baby in their lives. In time, however, Aleandro's character begins to suspect that the child was taken from a woman who is among Argentina's "disappeared," i.e., a likely victim of violent political repression. With that genie out of the bottle, everything about the couple's life together begins to look doctored and glossed-over to her, including the marriage itself. Director Puenzo leads the mounting suspicion and conflict between husband and wife toward an astonishing eruption of suppressed feelings, a release of buried truths that is more than the story of one wobbly marital union. It is an allegory for a nation fearing its recent past. A powerful experience. (Historias Cinematograficas Cinemania, Progress Communications / Almi Pictures) (Tom Keogh, Amazon.com)

· Foreign Language Film Award 1985: (Argentina) (Marcelo Piñeyro, producer)

· Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1985: Luis Puenzo, Aida Bortnik

2 nominations, 1 Award