A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time.A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time.A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina's bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 49 wins & 45 nominations total
Gabriel Martín Fernández
- Bruzzo
- (as Gabriel Fernández)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'Argentina, 1985' is a powerful film exploring Argentina's military dictatorship trial. It is lauded for strong performances, especially Ricardo Darín, and its emotional engagement. Critics appreciate the balance of tension, humor, and historical accuracy, though some find lacking depth in character development and context. The cinematography and direction effectively capture the era's atmosphere. Despite minor critiques on pacing and bias, it is seen as an important, impactful work resonating with audiences familiar with Argentina's history.
Featured reviews
Great true story that highlights why it's so important to have independent courts, that can't be bullied or harassed by anti democratic forces like the military in Argentina.
This movie should be shown in every classroom in all democratic countries. To vaccinate against anti democratic behavior!
A must see for all democratic and peace loving people, wherever they live.
It will also give hope for them who currently live in a evil country with dictatorship.
One day justice will be served and the good ones will win. It's only a matter of time, and the courage of good men and women who believes in justice!
This movie should be shown in every classroom in all democratic countries. To vaccinate against anti democratic behavior!
A must see for all democratic and peace loving people, wherever they live.
It will also give hope for them who currently live in a evil country with dictatorship.
One day justice will be served and the good ones will win. It's only a matter of time, and the courage of good men and women who believes in justice!
You've been tasked to prosecute the fascist junta, they've been pulled into the court from their safe bunker, air force, navy and army, assortments of corrupt parties, but you'll feel like you're the hunted, not the hunter.
You'd be forgiven for thinking Ricardo Darin appears in most of the films of Argentine cinema if you only come across the features that receive international acclaim, but there's a good reason for that, and once again he delivers an impressive performance as the state prosecutor building a team and a case against those that destroyed thousands of lives during their vicious and brutal reign.
Coming in well over two hours, I wouldn't let that put you off as the tension builds and insurmountable barriers are removed, the time flies by. A fine piece of factual story telling that leaves more than a sense of satisfaction at the end.
You'd be forgiven for thinking Ricardo Darin appears in most of the films of Argentine cinema if you only come across the features that receive international acclaim, but there's a good reason for that, and once again he delivers an impressive performance as the state prosecutor building a team and a case against those that destroyed thousands of lives during their vicious and brutal reign.
Coming in well over two hours, I wouldn't let that put you off as the tension builds and insurmountable barriers are removed, the time flies by. A fine piece of factual story telling that leaves more than a sense of satisfaction at the end.
Argentina, 1985 is inspired by the true story of the prosecutors Julio Strassera and Luis Moreno Ocampo, who in 1985 dared to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the bloodiest phase of the Argentine military dictatorship, which fell only 2 years earlier. Without being intimidated by the regime, the expert Strassera and the young Moreno Ocampo formed a young legal team of unlikely heroes to wage an unequal battle.
Constantly threatened, together with their families, they fought against time to give justice to the victims of the military junta which in 1976 deposed Isabelita Martinez De Peron in a coup. The members of the junta were tried for crimes committed by the Armed Forces in those years, which resulted in over 30,000 disappeared in December 1985, many were sentenced to life imprisonment. The film has the advantage of effectively reconstructing, in the same places where the facts took place, the difficult investigative work and the four-month trial with 833 eyewitnesses and survivors of clandestine detention and torture centers.
Also using a surprisingly humorous tone, which makes the magistrate (played by an extraordinary Ricardo Darìn) more human, likeable his very young group of lawyers and affectionate his beautiful family reveals the private side of an honest man. The 1985 trial allowed the Argentine justice to recognize and reclaim a long denied right. It inaugurates democracy and condemns the use of violence as a possibility.
When state terrorism takes hold in society, there is always an attempt to annihilate citizens and eliminate the possibility of communication.
Constantly threatened, together with their families, they fought against time to give justice to the victims of the military junta which in 1976 deposed Isabelita Martinez De Peron in a coup. The members of the junta were tried for crimes committed by the Armed Forces in those years, which resulted in over 30,000 disappeared in December 1985, many were sentenced to life imprisonment. The film has the advantage of effectively reconstructing, in the same places where the facts took place, the difficult investigative work and the four-month trial with 833 eyewitnesses and survivors of clandestine detention and torture centers.
Also using a surprisingly humorous tone, which makes the magistrate (played by an extraordinary Ricardo Darìn) more human, likeable his very young group of lawyers and affectionate his beautiful family reveals the private side of an honest man. The 1985 trial allowed the Argentine justice to recognize and reclaim a long denied right. It inaugurates democracy and condemns the use of violence as a possibility.
When state terrorism takes hold in society, there is always an attempt to annihilate citizens and eliminate the possibility of communication.
Argentina undergoes the biggest civilian trial in its history by putting in the dock the military officers who ruled the country for years, who, in their effort to subdue the guerrillas, orchestrated one of the harshest genocides in recent history: kidnappings, tortures and murders that were to go unpunished.
Because of its political plot, the film will generate different results in the viewer, mainly among Argentines. One character is saved, Attorney General Stassera, showing an integrity that is a great inspiration. However, for those who know the details of the real story and even more for those who have lived through it, these stories with a clear political hero always leave someone with a bad taste in their mouth.
On the other hand, considering that this is a trial that many viewers may not be aware of, the film's plot is well-developed if somewhat lengthy.
The drama is both entertaining and tough, as is so often the case with Argentine films starring Darín.
The camera play is good, to the point that it is difficult to distinguish the historical shots from the fictional ones. The characters are very well chosen.
Undoubtedly, Darín's performance, once again, is among the best in this feature film. He supports the rest of the actors - the family scenes are practically his - leads them as he wants and always leaves that humorous tone of fine irony in all his gestures.
A remarkable film that can be recommended to a minimally serious audience.
Because of its political plot, the film will generate different results in the viewer, mainly among Argentines. One character is saved, Attorney General Stassera, showing an integrity that is a great inspiration. However, for those who know the details of the real story and even more for those who have lived through it, these stories with a clear political hero always leave someone with a bad taste in their mouth.
On the other hand, considering that this is a trial that many viewers may not be aware of, the film's plot is well-developed if somewhat lengthy.
The drama is both entertaining and tough, as is so often the case with Argentine films starring Darín.
The camera play is good, to the point that it is difficult to distinguish the historical shots from the fictional ones. The characters are very well chosen.
Undoubtedly, Darín's performance, once again, is among the best in this feature film. He supports the rest of the actors - the family scenes are practically his - leads them as he wants and always leaves that humorous tone of fine irony in all his gestures.
A remarkable film that can be recommended to a minimally serious audience.
I've been looking forward to this film for a long time, and it doesn't disappoint at all. It's the kind of movie where the performances carry all the weight. Ricardo Darin as always was superb, but also Alejandra Flechner shines as the prosecutor's wife.
While the film has the familiar structure of a trial movie, everything is executed flawlessly.
Merits aside, the whole technical section, from minute zero, is absolutely surprising, the budget is noticeable. I recommend watching it on the big screen, it is unmissable to see the audience's reaction throughout the film. It'll probably be on of the five nominees at the Oscar´s for best international film.
While the film has the familiar structure of a trial movie, everything is executed flawlessly.
Merits aside, the whole technical section, from minute zero, is absolutely surprising, the budget is noticeable. I recommend watching it on the big screen, it is unmissable to see the audience's reaction throughout the film. It'll probably be on of the five nominees at the Oscar´s for best international film.
Did you know
- TriviaAfter winning the Golden Globe for best non-English language film, fellow actor Peter Lanzani revealed that Ricardo Darín used his "lucky charm" for awards ceremonies and told the cast and crew to think, "Don't worry, we're not going to win, we have no chance, we're losers, be calm, we won't have to make a speech, we won't win."
- Goofs(at around 43 mins) The taxis of the time had a logo in the shape of a circle with an identification number on the front door. In this scene the taxis don't have any logo except the taxi sign on the roof.
- Quotes
Julio César Strassera: History was not made by guys like me.
- Crazy creditsPhotographs from the trial are shown in the credits.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Javo & Temoc: Top 10 Películas: Lo "mejor" del año (2022)
- SoundtracksSalir de la melancolía
Written by Charly García (as Carlos Alberto 'Charly' García)
Performed by Serú Girán
- How long is Argentina, 1985?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Аргентина, 1985
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $905,893
- Runtime2 hours 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.50 : 1
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