El
Cumple
Argentina, 2002, 80 minutes. Directed by Gustavo Postiglione
A remarkably fluid and intense work by the director from Rosario, El
Cumple takes place during the 38th birthday party of Pablo, a sports
journalist. This celebration is as much of a drag for the host, as it
is for his guests, who have not seen each other for many years, and the
reunion gives everyone an excuse to reveal their most personal stories.
With enormous vitality, the restless camera follows the invitees gathered
for the occasion: the bitter ex-wife, the precocious film student who
records the party with her own video camera, the envious friends who criticize
the wine, and the betrayals found at every birthday celebration. Filmed
at the banks of the Paraná River, the splendid photography adds
even more pleasure to watching a group of mismatched personalities gamble
on their differences, leading to situations that range from the humorous
to the tragic.
"El Cumple is an outsanding film in every sense. In its precision, for being unruly, for its stylishness, for being authentic, funny, and heartbreaking" — Combo Bafici, El Amante
"Once again Postiglione demonstrates his amazing sensitivity to capture in every character, the most revealing moment, the most significant word" — Fernando López, La Nación
Official Selection Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema 2002