For cinephiles, the Argentine film industry is considered to be one of the most successful in Latin America, known for the quality of its moving pictures. It’s the most awarded country for Best Spanish Language Foreign Film (now renamed to Best Ibero-American Film) at the Goya Awards, Spain’s version of the Academy Awards, with 18 wins and 28 nominations. Speaking of which, it’s also the first Latin American country that has won in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards with the 1985 post junta movie, The Official Film Story, directed by Luis Puenzo.
As it returns to Shangri-La Plaza after a two-year hiatus, Cine Argentino is screening five restored beloved films from the 1980s to the aughts at The Red Carpet on November 18-21, 2022.
Now on its sixth year, the film festival aims to show the evolution of modern Argentine cinema, the diversity and richness of its culture, and the unique yet relatable Argentine way of life.
A cult classic in Argentina, Esperando La Carroza (Waiting for the Hearse) is a 1985 comedy film by Alejandro Doria. It tells the story of Mamà Cora, a woman in her 80s who is considered a nuisance by a daughter-in-law who wants her to live with her out of the house. While the family decides on Mamà Cora’s fate, a comedy of errors ensues within the household.
Un Lugar en el Mundo (A Place in the World) is the 1992 critically acclaimed social drama directed by Adolfo Aristarain. It’s set in 1983 just when democracy returned to Argentina and centers on a couple living in a remote Argentine valley with their 12-year-old son who try to stop the construction of a dam that promises electricity but also entails flooding in their community.
Another Adolfo Aristarain feature in Cine Argentino this year is his 2004 drama Roma. It’s about a lonely novelist in his 60s who reminisces about his wild years in Buenos Aires and his intimate relationship with his mother Roma as he tries to finish his long-overdue book.
Elsa y Fred (Elsa and Fred) is a 2005 heartwarming romantic comedy about two older adults who find love despite their differences and set out to make a dream come true in their twilight years. Directed by Marcos Carnevale, the film is highly commended due to performances of the lead stars China Zorrilla and Federico Luppi.
The most recent release at Cine Argentino is the 2006 sports drama film, Agua (Water), directed by Verónica Chen. It’s about the story of a former swimming champ who tries to return to glory and a rookie swimmer who tries to get into the national team.
All Cine Argentino films are screened with English subtitles. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Catch Argentina’s modern classic on a big screen, head to The Red Carpet at the Shang on November 18-21 for Cine Argentino.
