“Argentina, 1985” shows how much the Kirchners have falsified Argentina’s recent history
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitask, a political killing every five hours and a bomb explosion every three, as the Montoneros, a guerrilla army, and other armed leftists battled right-wing death squads in what was partly a civil war within Peronism. Many Argentines believed that the army would restore order and quickly hand back power. Instead it presided over systematic state terror involving clandestine prisons, kidnapping and torture.
That duly happened. The film focuses on the work of Julio Strassera, the chief prosecutor in the case. He is portrayed as an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary role, in a characteristically compelling performance from Ricardo Darín . Strassera’s young assistant, Luis Moreno Ocampo, would go on to become the first prosecutor at the International Criminal Court. They work in an atmosphere of menace and threats.
The trial of the junta took much courage, since the armed forces were still powerful. As prosecutions continued against other officers, and with the government unpopular because of economic problems, Alfonsín faced several military rebellions. He was obliged to halt further trials. His successor, Carlos Menem, decreed an amnesty that freed the generals and Mr Firmenich.