THE HEART KNOWS/ Corazón delator

Argentina, 2025, 89 minutes, Colour.

Benjamin Vicuna, Julieta Diaz, Peto Menahem, Gloria Carra.

Directed by Marcos Carnivale.

Many people would wonder about the effect of a transplant, the influence of the donor on the recipient, especially the donation of a heart.

This is a very heartfelt film from Argentina, brief, but highlighting the issues, the personality of the man who dies, his particular qualities. Then there is his wife and his son. And, of course, the recipient.

The drama is in the status of the recipient, his health, wealth, influence. Then social issues in the town, for families, issues of moving, the taking over of housing for social building. And this affects the widow and her son.

The recipient develops a great sense of charity for the poor, the indication that he has been influenced by the heart of the donor, making contact with the widow and son, his attraction towards her and the son – and, of course, the emotional and dramatic consequences.

1. The title, a heartfelt film? The nature of the heart emotions? The heart transplant, a new heart and its effect on the recipient?
2. An Argentinian film, the city, the poor neighbourhood, the developers, fighting against development and expulsion? The contrast with the business world, affluence, presumptions?
3. The visuals of the city, El Progresso, the neighbourhood, the homes, workplaces, the medical centre? Dilapidated? Neglected? The contrast with the wealthy mansions, comforts, business offices? The musical score?
4. The introduction to Pedro, his personality, his work, relationship with his wife, with his son, the birthday, the bike, riding, the accident and his death? The impact on his wife, his son? His being taken to hospital, unable to be revived, the request for the transplant? Vale and her consent?
5. The introduction to Juan Manuel, wealth, the company, his sister, negotiations with the Mayor, developments? His comfortable lifestyle? Is playing tennis, vigorous, his collapse? Hospital, in need of a heart transplant? Receiving the heart, three months later and his recovery?
6. The credibility of his change of character, influenced by the heart of Pedro? Wanting a more simple lifestyle? His relationship with Nancy, many years, her cooking, her noticing the difference? His wanting her to share a meal? Her helping him with his change of attitudes?
7. The people in the neighbourhood, the various characters, their contacts, the meetings and discussions, the boats, to take action? The shopkeeper in opposition and his henchmen, sneering, later sabotEge and violence? Everyone else on side, the meetings, the efforts? The decision to rebuild and do the work themselves?
8. Juan Manuel, in the vicinity, meeting the people, moved by them, meeting Vale, her son, sympathetic? Going home, the need for different clothes, to park his car away (and the tires gone)? Helping with the work, continuing to return, the rebuilding, bricks and cement, but is also getting the supplies, even to the new refrigerator? The change in himself, his concerns?
9. His friendship with Tony, Tony and the business, disbelief at what Juan Manuel was doing? The suspicions of his sister? The deal with the Mayor, his reluctance to sign the documents, signing?
10. The bond with Vale, the discussions, learning more about Pedro, the toy motorbike and the son? His being assaulted and cared for? The attraction to Vale, the night?
11. Vale and her discovery of his identity, her reaction? The reaction of the group? Yet the opening of the centre and the joy?
12. Juan Manuel, his decisions, the mayor coming to the neighbourhood, the change of heart, promising the development? Juan Manuel and his responsibility for the development?
13. The happy ending, Vale learning the truth about the heart, her love for Juan Manuel, his love for her son? And the benefits for the neighbourhood?