Cronaca di una fuga - Buenos Aires 1977

"Crónica de una Fuga" is not only an objective journey through Argentina's shady past, but also an engaging thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Uruguayan director Adrian Caetano, proves himself to be on of the leading filmmakers among the flourishing Argentinean film industry. The director of "Bolivia" and "Un Oso Rojo" is very precise when it comes to dialogues, and has an ability to acknowledge violence only by showing its imminence -the most powerful and cruel moments are achieved by creating a meticulous balance with the sound fields-.

It is also worth mentioning Rodrigo de la Serna's performance, who after working opposite to Gael Garcia Bernal in "Motorcycle Diaries" managed to establish himself as one of the most talented Latin American actor of his generation.

Set to be released around Jan. 2007, "Cronica" is an insightful thriller that should not be missed.

Let's see. An American nation is threatened by terrorists. For seven years, the government is headed by people who believe that extraconstitutional measures are required. They detain people based on suspicion (often false accusations by enemies) and torture them because they MUST know something. These are specially created places outside the normal criminal system. It is funded and approved from the White House in the name of combating out a global movement, using soldiers and "contractors."

I've been watching movies based on this period. This is one made by Argentines, which adds something. Though the film-making is not particularly effective, it adds a genuine patina. What's disappointing about this is that though we get that the bad guys are genuinely evil men, we don't get the visceral impact of what happened. Really happened.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

Cronica de una Fuga deals with true events in the history of Argentina during the "dirty war" of the seventies. These events having to do with the government, make up a very dark period in the country's history and do not offer much more than sad memories. The movie concentrates on the personal experience of Claudio, who was apprehended by agents and placed in a house together with many more kidnapped men. Caetano, through the use of different cinematographic techniques, makes it clear that the men are seen as inferior and are treated horribly. However, the movie provides the audience with much hope as Claudio strives to survive and does not give up whatever the circumstances may be around him. Moreover, team work which the prisoners develop as they are kept in the house, speaks strongly for the need of people to come together when times get tough. The movie overall is a good one as it concentrates on a positive aspect in the middle of such a negative situation. It is tough to make a movie about this dark time period and have it be an uplifting story in the end.

an Argentinian page of history. new piece from Pinochet regime. admirable performances. inspired script. and a story of survive. result - a remarkable film. but, more important, a realistic fresco of the XX century. because it is a film about dictatorship. about the brutal power for intimidate and control and see the other only as tool of own interest. and this is the motif for who "Chronicle of an Escape" is a great movie. for the fascinating way to describe the essence of human resistance. for the manner to suggest the heart of every dictatorship. for the wise science to remind - do not ignore the legacy of the last century. this is all. and the basic point for a real useful lesson of history.

Yes, this time we can be sure. This movie will bring home the first award since "la historia Oficial". But the great thing about this movie is that it does not need any award to prove how great it is. When you have some great performances, specially from the best south-American actor of his generation, Rodrigo de la Serna (Diarios de Motocicleta), and a director who has achieved his most mature work, and all of this to tell a story so sad, deep, breathtaking and energetic, you can't go wrong. I was lucky enough as to see this film on a preview, so this is the first vote it receives at the IMDb. But believe me, this movie has future of top 250. Not that it needs it, anyway. Finally, if you are from Argentina, and you think that we have had enough with this type of stories, think of all the missing tales similar to this one, that we'll never know of. They are at least 30.000. So we need to continue filming and writing about the seventies, until one day we'll be able to say. "This won't happen again"