Argentina latente (2007)
24 May 2007 • Documentary • 2h 0m
Pino Solanas is a controversial figure in Argentina due to some of his political views, which have a clear left-wing and socialistic (if not communistic) tendencies.Regardless of this, it is worth recognizing than in this film, Solanas achieves perhaps his best movie, while creating one that is extremely important to the Argentinian citizenship and which should be an almost obligatory part of the teachings in school (and of every Argentinian government official!).This film, considered the last part of a trilogy that Solanas began with "Memorias del Saqueo", can easily be seen individually. Contrary to his other two films, which pretend to become a historical document of the the financial and social crisis in Argentina at the beginning of the twenty first century, this film is an optimistic bet to the current and future generations. His previous movies were shot somewhat poorly (lots of hand-held video cameras), but this film has an excellent production. Solanas shots completely in film, with trips to several different points in the country and visits to national organizations usually unknown by most Argentinians. The film documents both the potential and current technological, mineral, energetic and scientific state in the country with an objectivity and scientific methodology that is laudable.The film is structured simply and gives an even simpler message: we can also do it here (for Argentina). More explicitly, the film conveys the message that if you are of Argentinean citizenship, you have suffered brain washing propaganda to make you feel inferior to the rest of the world. Propaganda that the film tries to debunk. And it does so very effectively, avoiding the potential for demagogy.Principally through interviews and visits to different areas of the country, Solanas narrates (very well, I might add) and personally interviews engineers, physicists, workers, researchers and teachers and lets their comments be the ones to guide us and educate us.It's style is similar to Michael Moore, but much more objective (in this film, at least). There's no cynicism nor publicity stunts like what happens with that other director.Solanas also attempts to promote an ideological change towards a more socialistic thinking or, at the very least, a less inhumane capitalism. It is perhaps in this point where the film is not entirely successful. There's not a very serious discussion of the problems that brings in the case of an increasingly more open global market or what tools, other than protectionism, can be used to successfully compete against multi national companies.The film is a tad long and it is something that without a doubt will not be of much interest to those foreign to Argentina's history. However, every Argentinian should be compelled to catch this film. You won't regret it.
Director
Writer
Starring
Language:
Spanish
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination
Country:
Argentina, France, Spain
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