The American Cinematheque in Los Angeles will be presenting a retrospective film series on Argentine director Santiago Mitre, who was nominated for his most recent film Argentina, 1985. Titled ‘Santiago Mitre: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’ the series will present five feature films directed by the Argentine director and will run February 27-March 3 at the Los Feliz Theatre.
The series kick off with The Student / El estudiante, Mitre’s 2011 sophisticated and subtle directorial debut, which is set in the University of Buenos Aires and tells the story of lovestruck Roque, who stumbles into the world of warring student political parties, vying for control of the school. Torn between his girlfriend’s radical idealism and his politician-turned-professor’s practical advice, the film puts Roque in a clash reflective of the wound’s left by Argentina’s Dirty War.
In Paulina / La Patota, Mitre’s luminous and intelligent reimagining of Daniel Tinayre’s 1960’s classic, the titular character as she gives up a brilliant law career in favor of night teaching in a depressed region of Argentina. Two weeks into the job she is forced to face her own beliefs and reflect on the politics and justice of her country.
In The Summit / La cordillera, while attending a summit for Latin American leaders in Chile, the newly elected Argentinian president, Hernán Blanco (played by Ricardo Darín), balances the future of his country and a complicated emotional situation, both of which could change the course of history forever.
Mitre’s 15 Ways to Kill Your Neighbor / Petit Fleur involves a young, unemployed father, José, who is searching for a balance of routine and excitement after having moved to “the most boring city in France” finds it with his neighbor and a little murder every Thursday afternoon.
The series ends with a special screening of Argentina 1985, the historical drama film starring Ricardo Darín and Peter Lanzani, that was recently nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. The film follows the 1985 Juntas Trial and centers the titanic work of a group of lawyers led by prosecutors Julio César Strassera and Luis Moreno Ocampo against those responsible for the bloodiest dictatorship in the history of Argentina. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Mitre and producer Axel Kuschevatzky
