Tangos, the Exile of Gardel (1985)
"El exilio de Gardel: Tangos" (original title)

Some Argentinians, exiled in Paris, decide to put on a tango-ballet, dedicated to Carlos Gardel, a legendary Argentinian tango star.

Director:

Fernando E. Solanas

Writer:

Fernando E. Solanas (scenario)

Stars:

Marie Laforêt, Philippe Léotard, Miguel Ángel Solá

10 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marie Laforêt	...	Mariana
Philippe Léotard	...	Pierre
Miguel Ángel Solá	...	Juan Dos
Marina Vlady	...	Florence
Georges Wilson	...	Jean-Marie
Lautaro Murúa	...	Gerardo
Ana María Picchio	...	Ana
Gabriela Toscano	...	Maria / Les jeunes danseurs
Nora Codina	...	Danseurs Solistes
Guillermo Altamirano	...	Danseurs Solistes (as G. Altamirano)
Robert Thomas	...	Danseurs solistes
Manon Hotte	...	Danseurs solistes
Gloria Arquimbau	...	Danseurs solistes (as Gloria et Eduardo)
Eduardo Arquimbau	...	Danseurs solistes (as Gloria et Eduardo)
Ines Sanguinetti	...	Danseurs solistes

Storyline

In the sorrow of exile, a group of Argentinians in Paris seek solace and connection to their culture by staging a set of tangos. The film alternates between their vibrant rehearsals and their circumscribed lives in low-rent apartments, underemployed, fitfully communicating with families back home, trying to make do with what they hope are only temporary arrangements in a foreign land.

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Plot Keywords:

tango | exile | paris france | dancer | traveling company | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Argentina

Language:

French Spanish

Release Date:

21 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tangos, the Exile of Gardel

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tercine, Cinesur (Envar El Kadri), Ministère de la Culture

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Argentina's official selection for the 1986 Oscar Awards, Foreign Language film category.

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Connections

Referenced in Tango Maestro (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Vals del regreso"
Music by José Luis Castiñeira de Dios
Lyrics by Fernando E. Solanas
Performed by Susana Lago

User Reviews

What an inspiring film!

I found a video version of this exquisite Tanguedia (tango + tragedia) in the Avery Fisher Center of the NYU Bobst Library. Looking for insights into the life of Carlos Gardel, I found something infinitely more powerful. An entertaining, heartbreaking film that brought me a greater appreciation of my love of tango and the sadness of exile. The film tells the story of Argentinian exiles in Paris. People of artistic talent and temperament who come together to create a stage musical about the tangos of Gardel's exile. The fact that Gardel was never (historically) exiled from Argentina adds a little subversive mystery to the film. If I could find a print of the film I could probably provide a more detailed review. I guess this film is doomed to join "Love me Tonight" and countless other amazing works of musical film, spending eternity eluding the eyes of the viewing public, collecting dust in film monasteries. ¡Qué tanguedia!