Argentina, 1985

You've been tasked to prosecute the fascist junta, they've been pulled into the court from their safe bunker, air force, navy and army, assortments of corrupt parties, but you'll feel like you're the hunted, not the hunter.

You'd be forgiven for thinking Ricardo Darin appears in most of the films of Argentine cinema if you only come across the features that receive international acclaim, but there's a good reason for that, and once again he delivers an impressive performance as the state prosecutor building a team and a case against those that destroyed thousands of lives during their vicious and brutal reign.

Coming in well over two hours, I wouldn't let that put you off as the tension builds and insurmountable barriers are removed, the time flies by. A fine piece of factual story telling that leaves more than a sense of satisfaction at the end.

As Argentina begins reckoning with the violent torture and murder of its people by a ruthless military junta from 1976 to 1983, the task falls to prosecutor Julio Strassera (Darin) to prosecute the dictators. The constant death threats are shrugged off by his wife Silvia (Flechner) and children, and his deputy Luis (Lanzani) has no experience but a sharp mind. They assemble an unusually young team and set out to gather evidence of 709 specific crimes, representing thousands. But it seems unthinkable that these still-powerful armed forces leaders will ever be sent to prison.

Witty interaction gives the film a surprising electrical charge, making darker elements even more devastating. Without going into too much detail regarding torture, what's described is absolutely horrific, and scale could have been mind-numbing without such personal filmmaking. This also helps us identify vividly with characters, while seeing this situation echoed in present-day politics as former heads of state face consequences for actions taken when they felt above the law.

Veteran actor Darin makes Julio feel wonderfully competent; even when he's unsure, we know he's on the right track. His sardonic comments bring harsh things into perspective, and he has wonderfully abrasive camaraderie with his family and colleagues, drawing both strength and inspiration. His partnership with the likeable Lanzani's whip-smart Luis develops beautifully over the case. And as Silvia, Flechner adds fabulously sardonic moments that run very deep. Meanwhile, Paredes gets a show-stealing role as a key witness who resiliently recounts a staggering ordeal.

These true events are important in world history, a pivotal change in how leaders are held to account, eventually. A line in the film equates this trial with Nuremberg, but this is perhaps even more earth-shaking. And what sets this film apart is the way a young legal team bonds over their desire to set the historical record straight, because they are the ones who will inherit the leadership of their country. They want it to be a just place to live. Obviously, they're not there yet, but this first step was massive.

It's not easy to talk about one of the darkest periods in Argentina's history - including torture, rapes and deaths - and to do it in an appealing way that doesn't become too heavy or exploit the victims' suffering in an abusive way. It's not easy, but they did it.

The script by Llinás and Miter is quite refined, careful and intelligent in the way it addresses all the atrocities of the regime, always saying what it has to say, but it is also intelligent in the way it incorporates moments of humour, a personal and familiar dimension that helps us to identify with the characters, being able to transform everything that happened in one of the most important judgments in history into hope and a turning point. I'm not Argentine. I'm not an easy tear person. However, it is difficult to contain emotions in certain depositions or when in his closing arguments, prosecutor Straessera says "Nunca más" (Never Again). People who have lived under dictatorial regimes or who have heard the stories told by their parents or grandparents cannot remain indifferent to such a moment.

Santiago Miter's direction is super smart too. It's filmed soberly when necessary. It's filmed using movement and different techniques when the action requires it, such as in moments of greater tension, such as during a harrowing dinner with the Assistant Attorney, Luis Moreno Ocampo. The editing is also very efficient, helping a 140-minute film on such a heavy topic - and with much of its time spent in an investigation or in court - pass quickly, using several scenes on the screen at the same time, resorting to overlapping voices and testimonies, resorting to music whenever the film has something to extract from it, not seeming to do anything by chance.

Finally, it is impossible not to mention the excellent actors who make this film. All the supporting actors are at a good level, but the dynamic between Ricardo Darin (as the Attorney General) and Peter Lanzani (as the Assistant Attorney) is one of the highlights, always seeming true and honest, being easy to sympathize and cheer for those characters. Darin could very well have taken a more showy approach, but it is his sobriety and distinct personality that are his greatest strengths.

A must-see film for anyone who cares about the human condition and dignity. A film that recalls that certain pages of history must never be lived again. Nunca más!

Argentina 1985 and a prosecutor pursues cases against powerful people who were involved in disappearances and murders during the earlier military dictatorship in Argentina.

This is a skilful and earnest political thriller which deals with real events. It took me a while to engage with this film, and I think it would probably have a lot more impact if you are either Argentinian or if you have a deeper knowledge of the events portrayed. It's all very effectively done but is perhaps a bit too long winded and talky at times, so could have done with a more punchy script and little more economic direction. As a comparison, the classic Greek political thriller 'Z' came to mind, and although it's nowhere near as good as that great film, this is a compelling stuff, and definitely it's a story that needed telling.

The movie starts pretty slow, but from the beginning on you can connect with the characters. The first half hour or so has A LOT of funny little moments, maybe even one or two to many, considering the tone and themes of the movie, but it still works somehow, especially because the actors do a very good job(Important sidenote: I watched it in the original language with subtitles).

The movie lacks a bit of structure though, and the first half feels a bit long and stretched in some parts, it doesn't really feel like we are getting somewhere anytime soon. But it picks up in the second half! What still lacks is real tension. BUT there are a lot of very powerful moments near the end, spectacularly delivered by the cast.

You should also not expect thorough explanations of argentinian history or the court case itself, the movie is about people fighting for justice and shows there struggles and emotions.

So if you want to see an emotional, yet funny, movie with some real heart, and you bring some patience with you, I can really recommend it!