The Official Story (1985)
"La historia oficial" (original title)

After the end of the Dirty War, a high school teacher sets out to find out who the mother of her adopted daughter is.

Director:

Luis Puenzo

Writers:

Aída Bortnik, Luis Puenzo

Stars:

Héctor Alterio, Norma Aleandro, Chunchuna Villafañe

Won 1 Oscar. Another 24 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Héctor Alterio	...	Roberto
Norma Aleandro	...	Alicia
Chunchuna Villafañe	...	Ana
Hugo Arana	...	Enrique
Guillermo Battaglia	...	Jose
Chela Ruíz	...	Sara
Patricio Contreras	...	Benitez
María Luisa Robledo	...	Nata
Aníbal Morixe	...	Miller
Jorge Petraglia	...	Macci
Analia Castro	...	Gaby
Daniel Lago	...	Dante
Augusto Larreta	...	General
Laura Palmucci	...	Rosa
Leal Rey	...	Cura

Storyline

Alicia Marnet de Ibáñez is a high school history professor and a well-to-do housewife in Buenos Aires, circa 1983, after the fall of the "junta militar" that had taken over the government since 1976. She has a husband, Roberto, who is a succesful lawyer and a five-year-old adopted daughter.

---

Plot Keywords:

adopted daughter | school | book | military coup | teacher | 

---

Taglines:

A truth too frightening to ignore.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | War

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

8 November 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Official Story

Filming Locations:

Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

Historias Cinematograficas Cinemania, Progress Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The house where Alicia, Roberto and Gaby live is actually the house of the director, Luis Puenzo.

---

Quotes

Alicia: Dolores is lucky to have such a devoted friend as you.
Gaby: What does "divided" mean?

---

Connections

References The Muppet Show (1976)

---

Soundtracks

"El pais del nome acuerdo"
Written by María Elena Walsh
Sung by Analia Castro

User Reviews

Extraordinary film about courage in the face of death

I saw this movie in my first-year Spanish class. I love all kinds of movies, both international and domestic. This is by far one of the best movies I have seen in the international field with particular focus on the character development of one woman who seems to have everything. In coming to terms with the truth of her lifestyle and the high price others have paid for her comfort, she becomes a heroine who must give up almost everything she has loved and felt identified who she is. This movie is both heartbreaking and reassuring for its audience. I highly recommend it as a thoughtful depiction of how ignoring politics can imply inadvertently becoming an accomplice.