Directed by Santiago Mitre and starring Ricardo Darín as the prosecutor Julio Strassera and Peter Lanzani as his second in command, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the new gem of Argentine cinema, Argentina, 1985, a strong Oscar contender, arrives in theatres today.
The film narrates in a scrupulously realistic way the difficulties of the civilian prosecutor Julio César Strassera in carrying out the trial that put the commanders of the last military dictatorship in the dock for crimes against humanity. Argentina, 1985 is inspired by the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo and their young legal team who dared to prosecute, against all odds, against the clock and under constant threat, Argentina’s bloodiest military dictatorship. A David versus Goliath battle, with the least expected heroes.
Those convicted of such horrible, cruel and cowardly crimes were Jorge Rafael Videla, Orlando Ramón Agosti, Emilio Eduardo Massera, Roberto Eduardo Viola and Armando Lambruschini.
The film was awarded the International Federation of Film Press Award (Fipresci) at the Venice Film Festival; it won the Audience Award at the San Sebastian Festival with a score of 9.14 out of 10, will participate in the London Film Festival and is the film that Argentina will submit to the next Hollywood Oscars.
