Celebrated Argentine author and filmmaker Edgardo Cozarinsky died yesterday at the age of 85. Cozarinsky's multifaceted career spanned more than five decades, during which he distinguished himself as an acclaimed writer, filmmaker, and essayist. He was best known for his subtle, semidocumentary films, he has also written a previous collection of short stories, Urban Voodoo, and prizewinning essays.
Son of Russian émigrés, Cozarinsky was born on January 13, 1939, in Buenos Aires, and resided in Paris since 1974. His exceptional talent and intellectual rigor left an indelible mark on the arts, blending his rich heritage with a modern sensibility that resonated across continents.
His early forays into film, such as Dot Dot Dot / Puntos suspensivos o Esperando a los bárbaros (1971), which screened in the very first edition of the New Directors/New Films festival in New York City in 1972, showcased his avant-garde vision and narrative innovation, earning him international recognition. His body of work in cinema was celebrated for its poetic depth and unique exploration of historical and cultural themes, merging documentary and fiction in a distinctive style that defied categorization.
Other film titles include Guerriers et captives (1989), Le violon de Rothschild (1996), Fantômes de Tanger (1997), Le cinéma des cahiers (2001), Dans le rouge du couchant (2003), Night Watch / Ronda nocturna (2005), Apuntes para una biografía imaginaria (2010), Nocturnos (2011), Letter to a Father / Carta a un padre (2013), and Medium (2020).
In 2020, he participated in the omnibus film Unlimited Edition / Edición Ilimitada, along with Virginia Cosin, Santiago Loza, Romina Paula, which was a cinematic meeting between four writers who are also actors, directors, teachers and playwrights. Four stories, four protagonists: two men, two women who reflect, in different ways, on writing, reading, the generational clash and the creative process. Last year, he premiered his last film Dueto, co-directed by actor Rafael Ferro. A film about friendship in which the director and the actor expose, in a confessional manner, the bond they have shared for many years.
Parallel to his cinematic endeavors, Cozarinsky was a prolific author. His novels, short stories, and essays—imbued with a deep sense of place and identity—captivated readers worldwide. Notable works such as Vudú urbano (1985) and The Bride from Odessa (2001) reflect his narrative prowess and his ability to intertwine personal memory with broader historical narratives. His literature often mirrored the themes of exile and diaspora, echoing his own life experiences of living between Buenos Aires and Paris.
Throughout his career, Cozarinsky received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Konex Award and the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, underscoring his contribution to the cultural and artistic landscape. In 2018, The Museum of Modern Art in New York City invited to curate the series “Carte Blanche: Edgardo Cozarinsky on Argentine Cinema,” a selection that juxtaposed classic and contemporary Argentine cinema in fresh and provocative ways. Beyond his artistic achievements, Edgardo Cozarinsky was a cherished mentor and friend, known for his intellectual generosity and passionate engagement with the world around him.
