Your ultimate (Argentinian) movie guide to survive… Coronavirus!
Argentina isn’t just about beautiful landscapes and incredible buildings to visit. In times of Coronavirus, why stay at home bored and apparently nothing left to do when it could be nice to explore the country through its culture?
The last few decades have seen some incredible things happen in this Latin American country and movies is one of the most interesting parts of the culture that nobody would want to miss out on.
Productions made by the Argentine film industry include a number of intelligent and thought provoking pictures that have earned awards at international film festivals, as well as stealing the hearts of the local population.
This is why we picked a group of films to offer a great insight into the culture and psyche of the people, that are both entertaining and captivating. As we know that you have plenty of time to kill during your quarantine, check out the following titles.
El Secreto De Sus Ojos (The Secret In Their Eyes)
After winning an Oscar in 2009 for best foreign language film, The Secret in their Eyes became one of the country’s most successful films abroad. The crime thriller casts Ricardo Darin as a retired legal adviser who is writing a novel about the most troublesome unsolved murder of his career. The cold case still affects him deeply, as does his unrequited love for a former colleague, so he revisits the crime to gain some closure.
Relatos Salvajes (Wild Tales)
A 2014 dark comedy with a difference, Wild Tales is actually comprised of six different standalone short films rather than a single narrative. Each film contains similar themes of violence and revenge, that demonstrates what might happen when people are pushed to breaking point. Starring an ensemble cast of Argentine favourites, This marvellous movie is exciting, funny and definitely worthy of its Academy Award nomination.
Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens)
This 2000 box office hit is widely regarded as an Argentine classic. It tells the story of two artists attempting to pull off the biggest swindle of their lives by selling a counterfeit copy of some priceless stamps to a wealthy collector. The thrilling crime story provides a fascinating insight into Buenos Aires’ underworld, including some of the scams tourists should look out for when visiting the city.
El hijo de la novia (Son of the Bride)
Son of the Bride is a 2001 drama/comedy starring Argentine favourite, Ricardo Darin. This touching film does a fine job of examining themes of family and relationships, earning it a nomination for an Academy Award. It follows the life of a man, played by Darin, who is forced to reevaluate his life after suffering a near fatal heart attack. He must reconsider where his priorities lie and make some crucial decisions regarding his love life, his relationship with his parents and his career.
La Odisea de los Giles )Heroic Losers)
This film is about Fermin, who wants to buy an abandoned grain silo and form an agricultural co-op, so farmers in his small town won’t be at the whims of market prices. “This is the best time” for such a venture, he assures them, before a title card provides the punchline: “Argentina, August 2001.”
So… what better way to have fun in your quarantine than with a great list of movie recommendations, a remote control and a big bowl of pop-corn? Time to shake off any paranoia symptoms and start enjoying your stay in Argentina like a pro!
