Luis Puenzo’s La historia oficial (The Official Story) (1985), the second in this monthly season of Argentinian films especially selected for the Cinema Museum by Adam Feinstein – who is writing a book on the country’s cinema – won Latin America’s first-ever Oscar for foreign-language film, and it is easy to see why. The central theme of this potent and poignant movie is Argentinian society’s guilt over its complicity, during the 1976-1983 dictatorship, with the military’s so-called ‘dirty war’ against subversion. As many as 30,000 people were kidnapped and subsequently disappeared by the Army. The main action of La historia official centres on the gradual discovery by Alicia, a history teacher magnificently interpreted by Norma Aleandro, that the daughter her high-ranking businessman husband, Roberto (in an equally superb performance by Hector Alterio) had given her is actually the child abducted from her parents (two subversives killed during their imprisonment by the military regime. By turns tender, brutal and heart-wrenchingly poignant, this outstanding film has lost none of its power to touch and to shock audiences over the past three decades. Luis Puenzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Aida Bortnik, directs with a marvellously assured hand and, aided and abetted by one of Argentina’s greatest cinematographers, Félix Monti, creates many moments that live long in the memory.

La historia oficial will be introduced by Adam Feinstein, who has interviewed the film’s director, Luis Puenzo.

Doors open at 18.30, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Tickets in advance £8.50 (£6.50 concessions). On the door £10 (£7 concessions).

Advance tickets may be purchased from Billetto, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.