Un Oso Rojo (A Red Bear)
Argentina, 2002, 94 minutes. Directed by Israel Adrián Caetano.
Although
Bear is the only one counting, seven years have gone by since he was sent
to prison for robbery and murder. He's unpredictable and violent by nature,
but he holds his past close to his vest with a simmering intensity. The
day of the robbery was his daughter's Alicia first birthday and his wife
Natalia has never forgiven him for that. Now as he is paroled, Bear thinks
he might be able to star anew – but Natalia lives with Sergio, who
helped her during rough times, and Alicia barely remembers her father
at all. Bear is determined to get them back or at least repair the damage.
Like in a disenchanted urban western, A Red Bear
draws out the destiny of a justice-seeking avenger, outlawed by the raw
truth of life in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. As with his previous film,
Bolivia, Caetano's latest film won international acclaim in prestigious
festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, and NewDirectors/New Films in NY;
and in its native country, Un Oso Rojo is considered
to be one the finest examples of the "New Argentine Cinema."
"Its combination of toughness and smooth, understated style makes it touching and absorbing" – A. O. Scott, New York Times
"Once again, Adrián Caetano, confirms that he is one of the best Argentine directors of the last years, and yet he is able to give a new twist to his work" – Josefina Santoro, Cineismo.com
"A Red Bear is one of the greatest Argentine films. Not only for the power of its script, but also for the precision of its mise-en-scene, for the entire cast's excellent performances, for the somber mood which always keep Argentina in the background, for the appropriate depiction of the characters and for the intense and poignant atmosphere which is recurrent one scene after another." – canalaonline.com
"A Red Bear imposes itself as a piece of great dramatic power that ratifies a prolific director's narrative talent" – Diego Batlle, La Nación
Cannes Film Festival 2002
Sundance Film Festival 2003
Silver Condor Award at the Argentinian Film Critics Association Awards
2003
Special Jury Prize, Best Music and Special Mention Award at the Havana
Film Festival 2002