Directed by Santiago Mitre
Written by Mariano Llinás and Santiago Mitre
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Peter Lanzani, Alejandra Flechner, Susana Pampín
Rated R
Runtime: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Streaming on Amazon Prime October 21

by Gary M. Kramer, Staff Writer

Argentina, 1985, which has been selected to represent the country in the Best International Film category at the Academy Awards, is a galvanizing courtroom drama that depicts the most important trial in the country’s history. Prosecutor Julio Strassera (Ricardo Darin) tried several members of military for their participation in the kidnapping, torturing, and disappearances of Argentine citizens during the country’s Dirty War (1976-1983).

The case was a watershed moment for Argentina, and director Santiago Mitre, who cowrote the screenplay with Mariano Llinás, is reverent with his recreation of facts and events. (Black and white Images seen over the end credits reflect the film’s authenticity). Viewers unfamiliar with the history will get caught up in the action, which crackles not only when Strassera and his family start receiving death threats, but also when the film is at its talkiest.

Strassera is a judge who is reluctant to take on the case he is assigned by Bruzzo (Gabriel Fernández). The prosecutor insists he wants to do things his way, and with his team, but he has very little support or options. (Many of the folks he considers have fascist leanings.) He is, however, appointed a Deputy Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo (Peter Lanzani), who has zero experience. Ocampo convinces Strassera that the way to gather evidence is to use young lawyers, and Argentina, 1985 shows the benefit of that strategy. When the preliminary hearings begin, the team has amassed 16 volumes of evidence, containing 4,000 pages, 709 cases, and 8,000 witnesses in four months—an almost impossible task.

The courtroom scenes form the centerpiece of the film, and there is drama even before the testimonies begin. The accused men each state that they “do not recognize the legitimacy of this court.” A bomb threat potentially delays the trial from commencing. And the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo—women who march and advocate for justice for their disappeared children and grandchildren—are asked to remove their identifying white scarves, as no political symbols are allowed in the courtroom. 

Once the testimonies begin, the speeches are heartfelt and harrowing. One woman, Adriana Calvo De Laborde (Laura Paredes), talks about being tortured while pregnant, and her horrific experiences after she gave birth. Another man describes his girlfriend being raped repeatedly. There are additional stories, and Mitre handles these scenes with sensitivity, not sensationalism, which is why Argentina, 1985 is so gripping. 

In contrast, the courtroom scenes where Strassera suffers an expected setback are important for showing if and how the accused coordinated their efforts—which is what Strassera needs to prove. Likewise, a dispute Strassera and Ocampo have about Strassera’s character is also revealing.

Significantly, the film shows how the country (and by extension, the world) had their eyes opened to what transpired, and how the trials changes minds and garnered public support. Ocampo’s mother (Susana Pampín), who initially disapproves of her son’s participation in the case—they are a military family—calls her son during the proceedings to express her appreciation in his efforts.

Argentina, 1985 features a handful of moments of such sentimentality, including an exchange Strassera has with his wife, Silvia (Alejandra Flechner), who is proud of his work. There are also a few tense scenes, as when Ocampo feels threatened or suspects some foul play is afoot. But then there is an amusing sequence involving Strassera’s son, Javier (Santiago Armas Estevarena), recounting what he observed spying on the judges as they discuss the case. 

These are all great scenes, but the best sequence in the film is Strassera’s impassioned speech when he calls for indictments. (Darin, a consummate Argentine actor, delivers a powerhouse performance.) This moment illustrates how individuals as well as the country process and grieve, but also must remember and share this critical history. It may be the most potent episode in a film full of emotional moments.

Argentina, 1985 ends with the sentencing and the aftermath, which included information about subsequent trials. Mitre’s film is a remarkable testament to this terrible history. It is incredibly well made and acted and deserves respect and attention.