UN CRIMEN ARGENTINO/ A SINGULAR CRIME

Argentina, 2023, 114 minutes, Colour.

Nicolas Francella, Matias Maeyr, Dario Grandinetti, Luis Luque, Malena Sanchez.

Directed by Lucas Combina.

The city of Rosario, Argentina. The 1980s, the dictatorship, the military.

There have been many films on this subject over the decades. This is something of a latecomer – and, interesting as it is, it is not quite as powerful as its predecessors.

A prominent citizen is abducted, and there is concern about his recovery. The military are involved, exercising their dominance. But, the civil authorities are also concerned, their overall chief, and two young officers who are involved in search and interrogation. And, their work is complicated by their relationships, and one of them deciding to move away from Argentina.

Aspect of the plot are quite complicated, especially suspects in criminal activities, a focus on one character, revelation of further sinister background and plotting.

The film does offer another opportunity for audiences to look back at this period of Argentinian history, its oppression, abuse of civil rights, and the consequences for society at that time.

1. Based on actual characters and events? The final information about each of the characters?
2. Argentina 1980, the rule of the generals, civil operation, the military, the judiciary, police force, torture? Judgements in retrospect?
3. The atmosphere in the city of Rosario, the city itself, apartments, police precincts, the streets, the clubs, atmosphere? Musical score?
4. The situation with the judiciary, Judge Suarez, Rivas and Torres as members of the court, their role in detection, surveillance? The responsibilities of the judge? The lieutenant colonel, his role, command, superiority over the judge? The role of various detectives and their being commissioned on cases? Rivalry, ambitions, brutality, torture?
5. The situation with the disappearance of the wealthy man, the flashbacks to the club, his behaviour, his disappearance? The ransom message? The decision of the judge, payment, the discussions with the family, the grandmother sympathetic, other members not so sympathetic, the victim as a playboy? The rendezvous, Maria going into the toilet, leaving the money, the suspicious woman, the pursuit, the false trail?
6. The role of the judge, his age and experience, influence with the two men, the discussions with the lieutenant colonel, the pressures on him?
7. Rivas, relationship with Maria, summoned to the court, the partnership with Torres, Rivas and his attention to go to Spain, the collaboration with Torres, friendship, difficulties? The detailed presentation of their action, inquiries, stakeouts, with the family, with the authorities, the rival Detective and his methods? The role of the judge?
8. The suspect, the story of him being in prison, out of prison, at the club, the interviews, his personality, making his case, information about his partner in prison, the visit to him, his amputation, the role of his sister? The revelation about enterprise, the making of sulphuric acid…?
9. Marquez, calm, the discussions, the interrogations, protesting his innocence, waiting for a phone call from the abducted man? The decision that he should go home, wait for five days, the surveillance from the apartment opposite, recording him?
10. His arrest, the brutal detective, the torture sequences, his eventually confessing?
11. The discovery of the sulphuric acid, the bowl, the body consumed, the police, the expert and her examining the body, finding the relics, identification?
12. Marquez, the hold over the abducted man, his cover, the destruction of the body? In prison, advising prisoners – and his later release?
13. The title, the singularity of the murder and the mystery, the particular tone from Argentina, especially 1980?