Zona Audiovisual

A rushing river caresses the life of a small town in southern Argentina: Choele Choel. Coco is an eleven-year-old kid who intensely wishes to be a grown-up, to be a man. A walk along the river with Johana -his new Venezuelan neighbor- initiates Coco in the adult world. But his father and life itself slow him down and make him feel small and insignificant; just a child. When life gets complicated it is probably best to let oneself go with the flow and float down the river like a drifting log.

It is no coincidence that the second feature by Argentinian Melisa Liebenthal begins with a quote from “Duino Elegies” by Rilke, who was concerned with existential angst. And, more prosaically, Marina, the film’s young protagonist, is faced with similar anxiety. In fact, her problem is her face. One morning, she discovers her face has changed, and she can no longer recognise herself. Not even her mother can, who bumps into her on the street and says hello to her like she would to any stranger (deadpan, surreal humor is part of the film’s recipe). Marina is thus forced to confront her identity: who is she? Is she determined by her parent’s DNA or by her ID card? Can she be identified by a family portrait, by biometrics or the love of those around her, including her Colombian boyfriend? Is she prettier now?

An intimate portrait of the relationship between Horacio Salgán, a legendary 98-year-old tango pianist, and his son César, also a pianist, who plays his father's music in his shadow. They recently met again, after 18 years without seeing each other. Just when Horacio is about to retire and pass on his musical legacy to his son, a sudden illness forces them to live together.