The first independent Argentine animated film in 30 years, Mercano’s wit has captivated audiences around the word. The story follows Mercano, an adorable alien who lives happily on Mars until the tragic day when his dog is killed by a sonar wave sent from Earth. Seeking revenge, he sets course for Earth, crash-landing in Argentina – not an ideal place for a stranger without money or a job.

Stranded in Buenos Aires, the lonely Martian wanders through a city that has been devastated by poverty, violence and uncertainty. Director Antín uses humor and irony to illuminate the realities of his native country through the eyes of an outsider.

Mercano was awarded the Jury’s Special Mention at the Festival du Film d’Animation Annecy, the world’s most prestigious festival for animated films.

“A slyly political, frequently antic take on the classic paranoid scenario of a Martian Invasion on Earth, is a ray of light from an under-acknowledged subculture of Latin American cinema. One of the surprises of the L.A. Latino festival.” —- Robert Koehler, Variety

Wexner Center for the Arts

Whitsell Auditorium - Portland Art Museum