A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time.A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time.A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 49 wins & 45 nominations total
Gabriel Martín Fernández
- Bruzzo
- (as Gabriel Fernández)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'Argentina, 1985' is a powerful film exploring Argentina's military dictatorship trial. It is lauded for strong performances, especially Ricardo Darín, and its emotional engagement. Critics appreciate the balance of tension, humor, and historical accuracy, though some find lacking depth in character development and context. The cinematography and direction effectively capture the era's atmosphere. Despite minor critiques on pacing and bias, it is seen as an important, impactful work resonating with audiences familiar with Argentina's history.
Featured reviews
I've been looking forward to this film for a long time, and it doesn't disappoint at all. It's the kind of movie where the performances carry all the weight. Ricardo Darin as always was superb, but also Alejandra Flechner shines as the prosecutor's wife.
While the film has the familiar structure of a trial movie, everything is executed flawlessly.
Merits aside, the whole technical section, from minute zero, is absolutely surprising, the budget is noticeable. I recommend watching it on the big screen, it is unmissable to see the audience's reaction throughout the film. It'll probably be on of the five nominees at the Oscar´s for best international film.
While the film has the familiar structure of a trial movie, everything is executed flawlessly.
Merits aside, the whole technical section, from minute zero, is absolutely surprising, the budget is noticeable. I recommend watching it on the big screen, it is unmissable to see the audience's reaction throughout the film. It'll probably be on of the five nominees at the Oscar´s for best international film.
Great true story that highlights why it's so important to have independent courts, that can't be bullied or harassed by anti democratic forces like the military in Argentina.
This movie should be shown in every classroom in all democratic countries. To vaccinate against anti democratic behavior!
A must see for all democratic and peace loving people, wherever they live.
It will also give hope for them who currently live in a evil country with dictatorship.
One day justice will be served and the good ones will win. It's only a matter of time, and the courage of good men and women who believes in justice!
This movie should be shown in every classroom in all democratic countries. To vaccinate against anti democratic behavior!
A must see for all democratic and peace loving people, wherever they live.
It will also give hope for them who currently live in a evil country with dictatorship.
One day justice will be served and the good ones will win. It's only a matter of time, and the courage of good men and women who believes in justice!
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!
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!
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.
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.
Argentina undergoes the biggest civilian trial in its history by putting in the dock the military officers who ruled the country for years, who, in their effort to subdue the guerrillas, orchestrated one of the harshest genocides in recent history: kidnappings, tortures and murders that were to go unpunished.
Because of its political plot, the film will generate different results in the viewer, mainly among Argentines. One character is saved, Attorney General Stassera, showing an integrity that is a great inspiration. However, for those who know the details of the real story and even more for those who have lived through it, these stories with a clear political hero always leave someone with a bad taste in their mouth.
On the other hand, considering that this is a trial that many viewers may not be aware of, the film's plot is well-developed if somewhat lengthy.
The drama is both entertaining and tough, as is so often the case with Argentine films starring Darín.
The camera play is good, to the point that it is difficult to distinguish the historical shots from the fictional ones. The characters are very well chosen.
Undoubtedly, Darín's performance, once again, is among the best in this feature film. He supports the rest of the actors - the family scenes are practically his - leads them as he wants and always leaves that humorous tone of fine irony in all his gestures.
A remarkable film that can be recommended to a minimally serious audience.
Because of its political plot, the film will generate different results in the viewer, mainly among Argentines. One character is saved, Attorney General Stassera, showing an integrity that is a great inspiration. However, for those who know the details of the real story and even more for those who have lived through it, these stories with a clear political hero always leave someone with a bad taste in their mouth.
On the other hand, considering that this is a trial that many viewers may not be aware of, the film's plot is well-developed if somewhat lengthy.
The drama is both entertaining and tough, as is so often the case with Argentine films starring Darín.
The camera play is good, to the point that it is difficult to distinguish the historical shots from the fictional ones. The characters are very well chosen.
Undoubtedly, Darín's performance, once again, is among the best in this feature film. He supports the rest of the actors - the family scenes are practically his - leads them as he wants and always leaves that humorous tone of fine irony in all his gestures.
A remarkable film that can be recommended to a minimally serious audience.
Did you know
- TriviaAfter winning the Golden Globe for best non-English language film, fellow actor Peter Lanzani revealed that Ricardo Darín used his "lucky charm" for awards ceremonies and told the cast and crew to think, "Don't worry, we're not going to win, we have no chance, we're losers, be calm, we won't have to make a speech, we won't win."
- Goofs(at around 43 mins) The taxis of the time had a logo in the shape of a circle with an identification number on the front door. In this scene the taxis don't have any logo except the taxi sign on the roof.
- Quotes
Julio César Strassera: History was not made by guys like me.
- Crazy creditsPhotographs from the trial are shown in the credits.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Javo & Temoc: Top 10 Películas: Lo "mejor" del año (2022)
- SoundtracksSalir de la melancolía
Written by Charly García (as Carlos Alberto 'Charly' García)
Performed by Serú Girán
- How long is Argentina, 1985?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Аргентина, 1985
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $905,893
- Runtime2 hours 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.50 : 1
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