Five Argentinian Movies to Whet Your Appetite (Or to Put You Off!)
Some culinary visions from sublime Argentinian cinema
Argentinians are some of the most avid movie fans in the Americas, and probably in the world. During the 20th century, the country developed a strong industry, creating movies for all tastes, from the most commercial to the more indie. A seedbed of great directors, actors, scriptwriters, and technical teams, it is a cornerstone of Argentinian culture. From the golden ages in the mid-20th century, to the vanguard of the 1960s and 70s, and the new visions of the 21st century, Argentinian cinema continues to win over audiences all over the world.
It boasts two Oscars, for La Historia Oficial (The Official Story) and El Secreto de sus Ojos (The Secret in their Eyes), and has garnered consistent recognition at international festivals … Throughout the decades, Argentinian movies have reflected the social, political, and cultural transformation of the country. Sometimes using humor, and other times horror, many movies have depicted aspects of the country’s gastronomic culture, and their phrases and scenes have been embedded forever in popular tradition. Some of these include:
"Circe": The killer candy
From 1964, directed by Manuel Antín and inspired by a story by the great Julio Cortázar. Graciela Borges, a diva of Argentinian cinema, plays Delia in Circe. In one of the most famous scenes, Delia prepares homemade candy with a special filling: cockroaches.
"Esperando la Carroza" (Waiting for the Hearse): Three empanadas!
A marvelous example of the grotesco criollo genre, directed by Alejandro Doria and released in 1985. It deals with the dilemmas of a regular family, class struggles and the hypocrisy of the middle classes. And the immortal catchphrase coined by Luis Brandoni: “They had three empanadas.”
"La Ciénega" (The Swamp): Another glass of wine… and then another
A masterpiece by Lucrecia Martel, released in 2001. A summer of eroticism and boredom in another family tale about class status. It stars Graciela Borges, continuously drinking iced wine in beautiful Salta, one of the most traditional provinces for Argentinian wine.
Pizza, Birra, Faso (Pizza, Beer, and Cigarettes): The downfall of the kids
An icon of New Argentine Cinema, straddling the 20th and 21st centuries. The crisis of neoliberalism in the 90s, marginalization, and the end of the great stories. And a group of youths wandering the city streets, stealing, eating cheap pizza, and drinking liters of beer. By Stagnaro and Caetano
"Todo Sobre el Asado" (All About Asado): A documentary that smells good
A hilarious documentary by the celebrated Cohn and Duprat, dedicated to the mainstay of Argentinian culinary tradition: the asado, or barbecue. History, testimonials, humor, clichés, and irony, while the images make your mouth water.
Editing and texts: Diego Marinelli
