Imagining Argentina 2004

In A W Bergh, Stockholm, the narrative revolves around the notorious green Ford Falcons of Buenos Aires, infamous for being labeled as “death mobiles.” These vehicles executed sinister tasks for President Videla and a series of junta generals during the oppressive 1970s, emulating the horrifying tactics of dictator Pinochet just across the border in Chile. During this tumultuous period, innocent children protested against inflated school bus fares, only to vanish completely, a phenomenon known as desaparecidos. This dark chapter highlights how military personnel were trained to brutally suppress any opposition in Argentina’s dirty war that raged from the late 1970s into the early 80s.

The grim statistics speak volumes, with nearly 40,000 individuals succumbing to enforced disappearances until the military faced true combat against British forces during the Falklands conflict in 1982. This defeat marked the decline of military rule in Argentina, yet disturbingly, many of their accomplices continue to evade justice. The poignant image of grieving mothers endlessly circling the iconic Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, holding up large portraits of their lost children, lingers as a testament to this tragic history.

Despite the heavy backdrop, Imagining Argentina presents a narrative that feels underwhelming, especially when compared to other significant films that convey similar themes. Costa-Gavras’s poignant work, Missing, took less than a decade to articulate the harrowing realities of Pinochet’s CIA-backed regime in Chile, showcasing a more incisive examination of the bloody coup. In contrast, the film’s protagonist, played by Antonio Banderas, attempts to harness voodoo to locate his missing wife and, tragically, his deceased daughter. His quest largely leads him across the vast Pampas, where he encounters an elderly Jewish couple with a peculiar hobby of tending to exotic birds. Their discussions center around the horrors of Nazi Germany, emphasizing a crucial, albeit limited, understanding of the long-standing military violence that plagued Latin America.

In essence, the film’s portrayal of the political climate comes across as shallow and misses the opportunity to delve deeply into the complexities of this historical context. The overall experience is disappointing enough that even notable critic Leonard Maltin overlooked its inclusion in his revered Movie Guide.