The film is loosely based on a real criminal case that became a cause célèbre in Argentina. On December 2017, Fernando Pastorizzo, 20 years old, was found dead near his wrecked motorcycle on a street in Gualeguaychú, Province of Entre Ríos, a medium sized city 230 km north of Buenos Aires. His on/off girlfriend Nahir Galarza, 19, was the last to see him alive and was first interrogated as a witness, then as the principal suspect.
After a series of misleading and contradictory depositions, she confessed to killing Pastorizzo, and was sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder by a panel of three judges (trial by jury is the exception in Argentina). On 2018 she changed her story and the decision was appealed, but one year later it was confirmed by the Superior Court of the province. In 2022 she changed her version of the facts yet again and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court of Argentina that, as of today, June 13, 2024, has not taken a decision.
Out of this material, director Hernán Guerschuny and scriptwriter Sofia Whilhelmi have assembled a solid thriller (some facts and names have been changed or modified). The plot is carried forward at a steady pace, and information is often conveyed with deft touches: short scenes, single phrases or just looks show or suggest the inattention of the judge panel, the rush to convict and the scarce attention to obvious directions of investigation. A masterful short scene tells much about Nahir's relationship with a family member, and perhaps with the family itself. There is also a skillful use of flashbacks; sometimes they refer to the same facts seen (or declared) by different characters. The final twist is not forced and does not solve all doubts (a plus). The is some social comment (the irresponsibility of the press, gender discrimination) but without preaching. First rate acting and cinematography. A film to watch.
