‘Back to Buenos Aires’ Review: A Brooding Drama Revisits the Violent Days of Argentina’s Dictatorship, and the Traumas That Remained in Its Wake

The dark days of Argentina’s dictatorship return to haunt a man 30 years later in Back to Buenos Aires ( Ritorno a Buenos Aires ), director Marco Bechis’ brooding portrayal of the deep wounds left by a military junta that tortured and killed thousands of people during its brutal reign over the country. Powerful and well-played, if sometimes lacking in tension and plausibility, this Venice competition premiere should find additional slots in festivals and arthouses throughout Europe, as well as in Latin America.

Inspired by the Chilean-Italian filmmaker’s own personal histroy as one of the rare desaparecidos (victims of forced disappearance) to survive kidnapping and imprisonment in Argentina after the military coup of 1976, the movie is bolstered by a psychological and historical verisimilitude that reflects how intimately Bechis knows his subject. Where Buenos Aires occasionally falters is in a narrative that slowly but surely moves ahead without much suspense, while losing its way in a few unnecessary plot contrivances. Related Stories Movies 'Father Joe' Review: Kiefer Sutherland and Al Pacino in a Holy Mess of an Action Flick Movies 'A Bit of Light' Review: A Despondent Man Stumbles Into a Renewed Sense of Connection in a Mournful, Quietly Comic Drama From Iran Back to Buenos Aires The Bottom Line A somber historical drama marred by some contrivances. Venue: Venice Film Festival (Competition) Cast: Adriano Giannini, Ana Celentano, Verónica Gerez, Olivia Nuss, Adrian Fondari Director: Marco Bechis Screenwriter: Marco Bechis, in collaboration with Vijaya Bechis Boll 1 hour 45 minutes

The film begins in Torino in 2008, during which we see 50-something paramedic Mariano (Adriano Giannini) working hard to save the life of a patient, then floundering at home afterwards. Solitary and taciturn — the man barely utters a full sentence until the third act — he keeps receiving messages on his answering machine about a court appearance back in Argentina. We soon learn that he’s been asked to fly to Buenos Aires and testify against members of the junta who, 30 years after the fact, are finally facing criminal prosecution. Reluctant at first to accept, Mariano decides to hop on a plane and return to the site of his torments.