By Rachel Galvin
The passionate and romantic music of Tango plays a pivotal role in the film ‘Adiós Buenos Aires.’ Playing its melodies, imbued with Argentinean history and culture, brings together a group of friends who find solace and sustenance through its rhythms. Their music is set in contrast to the backdrop of the social unrest in the outside world.
The movie is set during the 2001 economic crisis and everyone is struggling. There is rioting, looting and people clanging pots and pans in the streets. People are hungry, barely making ends meet. The stress is palpable, and people are leaving the country. Those faithful to Argentina no matter the cost classify those who emigrate as traitors.
Julio Farber, played by Diego Cremonesi, is a bandeneon player in the band, and he finds himself in the middle of conflicts on all fronts. With his brothers in music, he too appears to commiserate with the faithful, but secretly he has made other plans – to emigrate to Germany.
He had experienced the strife of daily life, struggling to make it as a musician, shoe salesman and divorced dad. But leaving, he finds, is not so easy. The dominoes are not falling into place for him. In contrast, one by one, everything is falling apart. He has battles on the homefront with his daughter, problems with his bandmates over his decision to leave and one final blow delivered by the government enough to make him question whether he ever will be able to leave. He also finds himself hit – quite literally – by another persistent conflict … a mouthy female taxi driver who becomes entangled in his life in an unexpected way.
Another reason for Farber not to leave is the newest addition to their band, an older man, who has found his own new lease on life by being a part of the group. Farber leaving threatens to upend their future.
Will this man torn asunder by circumstances beyond his control steer the ship toward brighter shores and escape his current peril or will he stand against a sea of troubles in hope to end them? Find out this weekend when the film comes to South Florida for a series of special screenings.
The film will be shown on Friday, May 10 at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, at 260 Aragon Ave. in Coral Gables, FL at 7 p.m. There will be a Special Tango Showcase performed by Rocio Leguizamón and German Filipeli. For more information, visit www.gablescinema.com.
On Saturday, May 11, the film will be shown at Cinema Paradiso, at 2008 Hollywood Blvd, in Hollywood, FL, with a reception and screening. Then, on Sunday, May 12, the film will be shown at Savor Cinema, at 503 SE 6 Street, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For more information, visit www.fliff.com.
Director German Kral said, “My hope and the hope of all my cast and crew is that ‘Adiós Buenos Aires’ will move and entertain the audience, and bring them to tears and to laughs. [Considering] the reactions of the audience in New York, I have the feeling that we achieved what we wanted. People left the cinema with tears in the eyes and a beautiful smile in their faces.”
Photos courtesy of Outsider Pictures II LLC
