What makes a production unique? The actors? The producers? The setting? Or the urge to tell the audience a real story that changed the life of millions?

Argentina, 1985 (2022) has all of the above, and much more. Set in 1985, this production tells us the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo, and their team of lawyers, in a battle against all odds: prosecute Argentina’s bloodiest military dictatorship for crimes against humanity and bring justice to their victims. Starring Ricardo Darín and Peter Lanzani, with the direction of Santiago Mitre, the movie is set to be a big hit around the globe.

Argentina, 1985 was presented at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, received a nine-minute standing ovation and won the critics’ prize. Moreover, it screened at San Sebastian Festival where it won the audience award (with one of the highest scores in history). And, if everything goes right, the movie might represent Argentina at the 2023 Oscars Awards. Not bad, huh?

We have to bear in mind that it portrays the only instance of a public judicial system prosecuting its own country’s former government on such a scale. It paved the way for many others to do the same. The script is tough, no doubt about it. But it manages to have moments of comic relief, surprising the audience with its humor, and making the whole thing a lot lighter. There’s still a slight chance that when you finish watching it, you’ll have a deep heartache, and how not to when you see the victims’ testimonies, their hard truths and Strassera’s breathtaking final speech.

Hollywood’s appropriation?

During the 60s and all the way to the 80s, several Latin American countries were under military dictatorships. And, as we all know, the movie industry knows how to make a profit while bringing to the world an honest and harsh story. That’s why, over the years, it has produced movies that tell the story of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and many others, with the hope of portraying the life of the people during that time and how these governments actually worked. 

However, it is true that more times than not the industry has failed to show us 100% truthful and accurate narrative. Why? Because they fill them with American stars and American settings and American screenwriters —as is the case of Evita (1996), Alive (1993) and The 33 (2015)— who might perfectly know it all about that time, but it’s just not the same. For a Latin American to see a foreigner portraying something that your own country and people experienced is not really nice at the end of the day. Of course they feel glad that their stories are told and that the whole world might be able to see them in whichever streaming service is released, but it always has that bittersweet taste at the back of the mouth. But well, it all comes down to who you are talking to really, just too many emotions. Let’s leave it at 50/50, what do you think?

Argentina, 1985 premieres on Amazon Prime Video on October 21st. And hey, don’t pause the credits, you’ll get the chance to see images from the real trial. Excited to see it? Follow us on our social media and keep updated on the latest releases and info on your favorite stars! But before you go, give us some love and leave us a comment with what you’d like to see next in our blog.