Work or be free: the dilemma of the Argentine film “Los delinquents” competing in Cannes

2023-05-19 00:00:00

The Argentine film premiered in Cannes The criminalsdirected by Rodrigo Moreno that focuses on Morán, a routine and apparently disciplined worker who plans a robbery that will allow him to stop workingalthough in exchange he must spend a brief stay in jail.

The film is based on an Argentine detective film hardly a criminal (1949) and addresses that fantasy of to be able to live a free and idle life, without being born in a golden cradle. In Rest, from 2002, posed something similar, where it tells the story of some people who decide to occupy an abandoned hotel so as not to work for the rest of their lives. Also in the custodian (2006) deals with work pressure and Rémon (2014) is about a domestic worker.

Rodrigo Moreno in Cannes

The criminalslasts a little over 3 hours and the locations are divided between the City of Buenos Aires and Córdoba.

“I film the work, I film the routine, I film the pressure that this routine exerts on the person, but at the same time I have to film the uncertainty of a free life, an uncertain life, a life that you don’t know where it’s going to take you” the director told AFPin reference to the contrasts you chose for your shooting.

competition

Delinquents contest in Un Certain Regard which is the second most important competition in Cannes, dedicated to new talents, an alternative way of participating for the first time in the contest.

The cast of “The Criminals” in Cannes

Moreno told that with the custodianhis debut feature, received a call from the festival’s general delegate more than 15 years ago, Thierry Fremaux, to project it in Un Certain Regard. The German producers and distributors of the film insisted that they would only accept that the film compete for the Palme d’Or. As it was not possible, the feature film was finally presented at the Berlinale, where it was awarded.

The German festival also received other of his films, such as a mysterious world (2011), in contention for the Golden Bear.

This time with The criminals comes directly to one of the most prestigious sections of the French sample. This is what “second chances” are like, Moreno acknowledged.

rb / ds

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