El Premio

El Premio is an Argentine-Spanish-Mexican-French drama film released in 2011. Argentine director Paulo Gorgonzola made his feature debut with this film, which depicts the harsh reality of living in a military dictatorship. Paula Galinelli Hertzog, Laura Agorreca, and Viviana Suraniti give stellar performances, playing characters embroiled in a world of political unrest and personal struggle.

In the film, Hertzog plays seven-year-old Cecilia, the daughter of a dissident who is living undercover during Argentina's military dictatorship. She lives a precarious existence in an isolated house on the seaside, her every move watched by her mother (played by Laura Agorreca) and her followers, who fear capture at any moment. At her young age, she is unaware of the chilling reality of her existence and innocently yearns for a sense of normalcy, like going to school and making friends.

The film is named "El Premio" (The Prize) after a writing competition at Cecilia's school where she wins first place. Her much-desired school experience becomes a challenge when tasked with writing a story about her family, and Cecilia must tread carefully on what to include and exclude. Here, we see a child burdened with the complexities of a reality she barely understands and must pretend.

On another layer of her life, Cecilia also finds herself in the midst of a conflict that belongs to the world of adults around her. Her mother is a militant activist, living in perpetual paranoia of being found by the authorities. Laura Agorreca portrays the mother’s role with powerful conviction, valiantly depicting the unseen struggle of countless women who have had their lives dictated by a tyrannical regime.

Viviana Suraniti puts in a notable performance as the school teacher, portraying the pedagogical challenge of teaching in such adverse conditions. Her character mirrors the societal conflict of its time - do we introduce the harsh realities of the real-world to children or shield them in the name of innocence?

El Premio is a sensitive, raw, and often gut-wrenching exploration of childhood innocence set against a backdrop of political unrest and tyranny. The societal imbalances and human rights infringements that were rampant during the time are subtly hinted at throughout the film. The camerawork is endearingly delicate, capturing the scenic isolation of the seaside dwelling, which encapsulates the feeling of entrapment that the characters experience.

Pointedly, the movie serves as a critique of the Argentine military dictatorship of the 1980s. Director Paulo Gorgonzola expertly uses the characters' personal struggles and fears to heighten the sense of dread and uncertainty that the entire nation felt during that time. The unsettling and poignant depiction of political fury through the innocent eyes of a child makes the film especially potent.

In various ways, the film focuses on the bond between a mother and a daughter, living an unconventional life where each becomes the other's protector and solace. At heart, it is a tale about growing up too soon, about the devastating consequences of living in fear, about the loss of innocence. The film's strength lies in its subtle storytelling, which never resorts to overt emotional manipulation.

El Premio had a significant impact on the festival circuit after its release, earning the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Special Jury Prize at the Havana Film Festival, and several other awards and nominations worldwide. Critics praised the lead actors' performances and the director's painstaking examination of a dark period in Argentina's history, capturing the sense of dread and inherent resistance that lived in the hearts of its people.

In conclusion, El Premio is a profound and moving exploration of a child's loss of innocence and the hard realities of life under dictatorship. It offers an intimate look at a painful chapter of Argentine history, showing resilience amid turmoil through the eyes of a young girl. With its meticulous storytelling and remarkable performances, the film offers a poignant reflection on hidden resistance and the power of the human spirit.