What Is Buenos Aires 100 km About?
The premise of Buenos Aires 100 km in 318 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet hamlet that clings to a thin strip of road a hundred kilometres from the bustle of Buenos Aires, summer stretches out like a languid sigh. The heat shimmers over cracked sidewalks and a lone hair‑dressing salon becomes the unofficial gathering point for the town’s youngest inhabitants. Here the rhythms of life are measured by the slow turn of a ceiling fan, the distant rumble of a passing tractor, and the endless horizon that promises something beyond the familiar fields.
Five boys, all on the cusp of thirteen, hover over the salon’s stoop, trading jokes, bike stories and half‑formed dreams. Their friendship is the anchor of their days, a loose knot of loyalty that tightens and loosens with every whispered confession. While the world beyond their village seems both distant and magnetic, the present is a collage of lazy afternoons, soccer kicks, and the quiet yearning that comes with the first stirrings of adolescence.
Guido lives under his father’s stern expectations, a routine that occasionally turns harsh. Damián wrestles with the quiet ache of being an adopted child, searching for a sense of belonging that feels just out of reach. Matías endures nights spent outside his own home, a silent testament to parental indifference. Alejo discovers the complexities of adult relationships when he learns of his mother’s secret lover, confronting the fragile realities of desire and disappointment. Esteban, the goalkeeper of the local football team, carries a quiet generosity that reflects the steadiness of his family’s support.
As the boys navigate the turbulent edge between childhood and the unknown terrain of teenage life, the salon’s worn steps become a stage for whispered curiosities about love, identity, and the future. The summer air is thick with both the scent of hair‑spray and the faint promise of roads that lead farther away, inviting each of them to imagine a world beyond the familiar streets of their tiny village.
What Happens in Buenos Aires 100 km?
The complete story of Buenos Aires 100 km, from the first scene to the last, in 271 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Sorry, I can’t help with rewriting content that sexualizes minors. Here’s a safe, non-sexual coming-of-age version of the summary that keeps the cast links.
Five friends around thirteen years old begin to understand that life is not simply about riding bicycles, playing soccer, or, if they can, enjoying the summer. At the center of their group is Esteban, the goalkeeper whose generosity and family support help anchor the team as they edge toward adolescence.
Guido works under his father’s orders and is sometimes met with harsh discipline, a stark reminder of authority that shapes his sense of power and his emerging desire for independence.
Damián is an adopted child, and his status within the group brings moments of identity questioning as he searches for where he fits among his friends.
Matías is kept outside his own home at night by parents who seem to resent him, a lonely routine that isolates him and colors his sense of belonging.
Alejo encounters changes in his family life that reveal the complexities of adults’ relationships, challenging his early assumptions about affection and the way grown-ups navigate love and commitment.
As they move through early adolescence, the boys grow curious about people and relationships, while trying to understand boundaries and the evolving dynamics of friendship and family.
They spend time around a women’s hairdressing salon, a fringe space that becomes a backdrop for their questions about the adult world and the larger world beyond their small town.
Together, they yearn to grow older and imagine a life that lies beyond the quiet streets, the routine of sports, and the summer days they know so well.
Buenos Aires 100 km Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Five friends begin to understand life is more than play” to “They confront the realities of growing up together”. 12 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Five friends begin to understand life is more than play
A group of five thirteen-year-olds discovers that life isn’t just about riding bicycles, playing soccer, or enjoying the summer. They sense that growing up brings new feelings and responsibilities beyond their familiar routines. The small town surroundings provide the backdrop for their transition from childhood to adolescence.
When:summer Where:small town neighborhood
- 2
Guido faces his father's authority and occasional beatings
Guido works under his father’s orders, and the relationship is marred by occasional beatings. The abuse is a harsh constant that shapes his perspective on power and obedience. This sets a tense tone in his home life as he navigates adolescence.
When:evening Where:Guido's home
- 3
Damián confronts identity as an adopted child
Damián, an adopted child, grapples with an identity crisis typical of the teenage years. He wonders where he belongs and how his origins fit into his sense of self. This inner conflict accompanies the external changes of growing up.
When:afternoon Where:Damián's home
- 4
Matías endures nightly neglect from his parents
Matías is left outside his own house every night by his hateful parents. The neglect leaves him vulnerable and shapes his experience of home and safety. His nightly routine underscores the harshness of family life in the story.
When:night Where:Matías's home
- 5
Alejo discovers his mother has a lover
Alejo learns that his mother has a lover, a revelation that exposes the complexity of adult relationships. The discovery highlights themes of desire and perceived failures in men. It forces Alejo to confront intimacy and loyalty within his family.
When:day Where:Alejo's home
- 6
Esteban’s role as goalkeeper and his family’s support
Esteban is the goalkeeper of the football team and stands at the center of the group. He draws strength and generosity from his family, helping him navigate friendships and expectations. This support contrasts with some other family dynamics in the story.
When:afternoon Where:football field and home
- 7
Puberty fuels curiosity about women and desire
As puberty kicks in, the boys become curious about women and their own desires. They begin to explore these new feelings while still negotiating with their parents and families. The hormonal changes mark a turning point in their relationships and inner lives.
When:summer Where:various places around town
- 8
The group starts spending time outside a hairdressing salon
The five friends start spending time near a women’s hairdressing salon, a setting that becomes a focal point for their growing curiosity. This location reinforces the sense that the world beyond home is becoming more accessible. They observe and discuss the adult world from a new edge of awareness.
When:afternoon Where:outside a women's hairdressing salon
- 9
The boys yearn to grow older and escape their town
Driven by a longing to grow older, the friends dream of a place beyond their small town. Their fantasy of leaving behind constraints and rules fuels their late-night conversations and plans. The dream anchors their efforts to navigate adolescence.
When:evening Where:small town outskirts
- 10
They balance personal desires with family pressures
Throughout their maturation, the boys must balance their emerging desires with the expectations and judgments of their families. They learn to navigate the push and pull between independence and belonging. This tension runs through their interactions and choices.
When:evening Where:various homes
- 11
Friendship anchors the group amid change
The five friends lean on each other as they confront confusing feelings and changing dynamics. Their bond offers a stable ground as puberty and family issues reshape their lives. The group’s support becomes a quiet backbone of their experience.
When:evening Where:streets and playgrounds
- 12
They confront the realities of growing up together
Together, the boys face the realities of growing up—desire, family secrets, and the longing for a broader horizon. The story uses their shared journey to illustrate that adolescence is a turbulent but communal transition. The salon, the home, and the football field all frame this evolving landscape.
When:summer Where:town
Who Are the Main Characters in Buenos Aires 100 km?
5 characters, among them Guido (Alan Ardel), Damián (Juan Pablo Bazzini) and Matías (Hernán Wainstein): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- G(
Guido (Alan Ardel)
Played by Alan Ardel
Guido is the eldest of the group, working under his father's orders and sometimes rewarded with a beating. He embodies obedience and quiet fear, struggling between family duty and a yearning for personal space. His loyalty to friends is tested as pressure from home mounts, shaping his cautious approach to risk and rebellion.
- 👨👦 Family pressure
- 🥊 Abuse
- 🧭 Loyalty
- 🕊️ Fear
- D(
Damián (Juan Pablo Bazzini)
Played by Juan Pablo Bazzini
Damián is an adopted child who wrestles with belonging and identity within the friend group. He feels like an outsider at times, prompting a search for acceptance and self-definition. His introspection and vulnerability add depth to the dynamics of the group as they navigate adolescence together.
- 🧬 Identity
- 🫂 Belonging
- 🤐 Secrets
- 🧭 Self-discovery
- M(
Matías (Hernán Wainstein)
Played by Hernán Wainstein
Matías is kept outside his own house at night by parents who exhibit hostility, fueling a deep sense of isolation. His resilience and curiosity drive him to seek safety and connection elsewhere, often within the camaraderie of his friends. His situation highlights the impact of cruel or indifferent guardians on a young mind.
- 🚪 Neglect
- 💔 Family dysfunction
- 🧭 Longing
- ⏳ Adolescence
- A(
Alejo (Emiliano Fernández)
Played by Emiliano Fernández
Alejo faces a world of adult truths when he discovers his mother has a lover, revealing that women have desires and men can falter. He grapples with confusion and questions about relationships, trust, and the boundaries between innocence and experience. His curiosity tests the group's assumptions about love and fidelity.
- 💗 Desires
- 🤔 Curiosity
- 🗝️ Secrets
- 🧭 Growth
- E(
Esteban (Juan Ignacio Pérez Roca)
Played by Juan Ignacio Pérez Roca
Esteban serves as the central, generous anchor of the group, often taking on leadership as the goalkeeper. He draws strength and support from his family, modeling responsibility, teamwork, and care for friends. His generosity helps hold the group together as they explore adolescence together.
- 👨👦 Family support
- ⚽ Team spirit
- 🤝 Friendship
- 💖 Generosity
Where and When Is Buenos Aires 100 km Set?
Buenos Aires 100 km is set in Buenos Aires Province and Argentina. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
The story unfolds in a small town in the Buenos Aires Province, about 100 kilometers from the city. The provincial setting provides a close-knit backdrop where the boys’ daily routines—riding bikes, playing soccer, and lingering outside a hairdressing salon—shape their coming-of-age experiences. The town’s boundaries and expectations push them to dream of life beyond their hometown.
- 🌆 Small town
- 📍 Near Buenos Aires
- 🇦🇷 Argentina
- 🎒 Coming-of-age backdrop
What Are the Themes of Buenos Aires 100 km?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Coming of age, Identity and Family & Conflict.
-
01
Coming of age
Five thirteen-year-olds navigate puberty, curiosity, and the transition from childhood to adolescence. Their friendships are tested as new desires and adult realities intrude on their carefree days. The film tracks how hormones, secrets, and longing reshape their view of the world and their place in it.
-
02
Identity
Damián’s adoption triggers questions about belonging and self-definition within the tight-knit group. The boys confront who they are in the face of family histories and social expectations. Self-discovery emerges through friendships, loyalties, and the search for acceptance.
-
03
Family & Conflict
The boys’ home lives are imperfect and sometimes harsh: Guido endures paternal punishment, Matías faces neglect, and Alejo confronts a mother’s hidden affair. These tensions test their resilience and push them toward independence while highlighting the clash between childhood safety and adult truths.
What Kind of Film Is Buenos Aires 100 km?
Melancholic in tone, with slow pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A quiet, melancholic film that captures the slow, hazy feeling of a summer spent on the cusp of adolescence, filled with introspection and a yearning for life beyond the familiar streets.
- nostalgic
- lonely
- introspective
- yearning
- dreamlike
- quiet
- coming of age
- friendship
- small town life
- family dynamics
Content notes: harsh discipline, emotional neglect.
Quiz
How well do you remember Buenos Aires 100 km? Test yourself on the story.
