I watched the film without expecting much of it. The poster looks great, but wasn't sure. I was very surprised to see a wonderful film. Different from anything I've seen before. The writer and director, Hernan Aguilar risks everything with his first movie by mixing genres in a bizarre exciting and compelling way. Action scenes are breathtaking, a difficult endeavor in this low budget Argentine film. Aguilar seems to handle strong, bloody action scenes like an experienced director and then goes off into a subtle love scene, realistic, new, fresh and away from clichés. This is truly an original masterpiece that for sure will be remembered as a cult first movie, for this very promising young director.
Madraza is about a housewife that becomes an assassin for money. Unlike Femme Nikita this is an overweight, realistic, Latin-American low class woman, living in the slums of Buenos Aires. Her killings are investigated by a police Detective (Gustavo Garzon), who also flirts with the assassin, as many Argentineans are famous for. The film entertains while raising awareness on complex social issues, gender issues, corruption, and has many levels to read.
The first minutes are strange as the realistic world Aguilar creates makes us think we are watching just another Argentine social film, but soon enough shocks us with some action, and laughing out loud very dark humor.
A must watch for film lovers, and for pure entertainment. Be ready for violent artistic scenes, and funny romantic moments. A jewel in Latin-American cinema, and a director that for sure will have a long and exciting career.
