Cast

Alicia, played by Norma Aleandro

Gaby, played by Analfa Castro

Roberto, played by Héctor Alterio

Benítez, played by Patricio Contreras

Ana, played by Chunchuna Villafane

Macchi, played by Jorge Petraglia

Father Ismael, played by Leal Rey

Enrique, played by Hugo Arana

Sara, played by Chela Ruiz

Crew

Director: Luis Puenzo

Screenplay: Aída Bortnik, Luis Puenzo

Administration: Carlos Fernández

Technical Supervisor: Orlando Rodríguez

Production Chief: Carlos Latreyte

Assistant Director: Raúl Outeda

Scenography: Abel Facello

Wardrobe: Ticky García Estevez

Make-up: Blanca Olavego

Camera: Héctor Morini

Sound: Abelardo Kuschuir

Mixing: Juan Carlos Macías

Photography: Félix Monti

Production Manager: Marcelo Piñeyro

Associate Producer: Progress Communications

Music: Atilio Stampone

Song: ‘En el país de Nomeacuerdo’ by María Elena Walsh

Awards

Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hollywood, 1985

Best Film, Best Supporting Actress (Chunchuna Villafane), Chicago, 1985

Second Prize, Best Screenplay, Havana, 1985

Best Film, Quito, 1985

Best Actress (Norma Aleandro), Best Film, Cannes, 1985

Best Actress (Norma Aleandro), Special Mention, Cartagena, Colombia, 1985

Plot

The film opens with a school assembly in which teachers and pupils are singing the national anthem, followed by a history lesson given by Alicia. Cuts to Alicia’s home; her daughter, Gaby, is in the bath. Her husband, Roberto, comes home with a present for Gaby, a big doll. Roberto and Alicia go out to dinner with some business associates, during which we hear that Alicia is sterile. Classroom scene of English lesson by Benítez. Alicia’s friend, Ana, explains to Alicia that she left Argentina because she had been tortured; Alicia is shocked. In the history lesson, Alicia’s students are beginning to rebel, questioning her version of history. Benítez invites Alicia for coffee and presents her with a file on the ‘desaparecidos’. Alicia goes to see Roberto at work; he is leaving on a business trip; tension is mounting. Alicia looks at Gaby’s clothes. She begins her search for Gaby’s true identity, visiting hospitals as well as the local priest, but without much luck. In a scene at Roberto’s father’s house, Roberto’s father accuses his son of being corrupt. Roberto has started drinking heavily, while Alicia is more responsive to her students’ questions about real history. Alicia meets Sara and finds out that Gaby is Sara’s granddaughter.