Invasión (1969)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Hugo Santiago

Writers:

Jorge Luis Borges (story) &
Adolfo Bioy Casares (story) ...

Release Date:

16 October 1969 (Argentina)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Olga Zubarry	...	Irene
Lautaro Murúa	...	Julián Herrera
Juan Carlos Paz	...	Don Porfirio
Martín Adjemián	...	Irala
Daniel Fernández	...	Lebendiger
Roberto Villanueva	...	Silva
Lito Cruz		(as Oscar Cruz)
Jorge Cano	...	Julio Vildrac
Leal Rey	...	Moon
Horacio Nicolai
Juan Carlos Galván	...	Jefe de otro grupo invasor
Aldo Mayo	...	Jefe del grupo invasor
Hedy Krilla	...	Vieja sirvienta
Claudia Sánchez	...	Mujer del restaurante
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ubaldo Aquiles De Lio

Also Known As:

Invasion (International: English title)

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company:

Proartel S.A.

Soundtrack:

Milonga de Manuel Flores

'we have to fight but in secret and knowing the fight is endless'

Hugo Santiago's 'Invasion' is a film about struggle: the endless struggle of a handful of men against totalitarianism. It illustrates the secret, sometimes vain battle for freedom by depicting a strong, dark and powerful masterpiece with heroic characters who defend their hometowns against mysterious invaders. However, the most striking aspect of the movie is the way it anticipates on History, indeed a decade after the movie was shot, Argentina was to fall in the hands of a cruel military regime. From the electric torture scenes to the stadium ( the very place originally used by the regime to execute the opponents ), everything is unfortunately at the right place. From the artistic point of view, Invasion is beyond reproach, directed by a disciple of Renoir and Antonioni. It really thrills the audience from the beginning to the end; the pace is perfect, action scenes are outstanding ( the overall strategy plan designed by the old man reminded me of Kurosawa's Seven Samourai - Aquilea eventually looks like the small Japanese village). The score is interesting too with eerie noises and a moving tango song whose lyrics are somewhat premonitory. Acting is also amazing, with their cold beauties the characters communicate their fears and hopes which contribute to the 'on the run' atmosphere of the movie. Still, Invasion is neither a documentary nor a propanganda, it is not a political movie either ( at least at first sight ) but it uses the political pattern to deliver a wider message : 'we have to fight but in secret and knowing the fight is endless' Afterall, Invasion is a metaphysical fable, some kind of an Illiade. Cold, pessimistic mysterious but superb, Invasion spawns a reflexion about life,