Ashes from Paradise (1997)
"Cenizas del paraíso" (original title)

A judge falls from the roof of the Federal Courthouse. A woman is murdered. Between them and the three sons of the judge there is a connection that will be investigated by a woman judge who... See full summary »

Director:

Marcelo Piñeyro

Writers:

Aída Bortnik, Marcelo Piñeyro

Stars:

Héctor Alterio, Cecilia Roth, Leonardo Sbaraglia

7 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Héctor Alterio	...	Judge Costa Makantasis
Cecilia Roth	...	Juez Beatriz Teller
Leonardo Sbaraglia	...	Pablo Makantasis
Daniel Kuzniecka	...	Nicolás Makantasis
Leticia Brédice	...	Ana Muro
Alejo García Pintos	...	Yeti
Nicolás Abeles	...	Alejandro Makantasis
Jorge Marrale	...	Francisco Muro
Chela Ruíz	...	Isabel Güemes
Rita Cortese	...	Mirta
Horacio Roca	...	Iriarte
Mónica Scapparone	...	Carolina Miranda
María Fiorentino	...	Hilda
Emilio Bardi	...	Méndez
José María Monje	...	Guard Cacho

Storyline

A judge falls from the roof of the Federal Courthouse. A woman is murdered. Between them and the three sons of the judge there is a connection that will be investigated by a woman judge who is determined to discover the truth.

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Plot Keywords:

judge | politics | jealousy | father son relationship | murder | 

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Taglines:

Three siblings, one woman, one destiny

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

In Spanish

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

7 August 1997 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Ashes from Paradise

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artear, Buena Vista Pictures, Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales (INCAA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Argentina's official submission for the 1997 Oscar Awards, Foreign Language film category.

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Soundtracks

"Angel Mine"
(Margo Timmins (as M. Timmins))
Performed by Cowboy Junkies (as Junkies Cowboy)
Published by Paz Junk Music / BMG Songs, Inc. ASCAP

User Reviews

Confessing to a crime no one committed

This Marcelo Pineyro's 1997 directorial effort, shows a man that understands how to involve his viewers into a story that is not only pleasant to look at, but with a message. Working with Aida Bortnik, they have created a film that will surprise a lot of people, fortunate enough to watch it.

The film involves the family of a judge in Buenos Aires and his three sons. Costa Makantasis is an honest man surrounded by corruption in higher places. He is trying to uncover the machinations of Francisco Muro, a powerful man that is involved in many dirty business in Argentina. As luck should have it, his younger son meets Muro's beautiful daughter, Ana. The young woman practically moves into the Makantasis household as she and Nicolas are enjoying their time together.

Nicolas, the older Makantasis son, falls under the spell of Ana, as well. And we also have seen how Pablo, the middle sibling stares at the sexy woman. We realize there is going to be a reckoning because the way Ana is the object of love of two of the brothers who feel passionate about her.

The film begins with events that are the conclusion of the events that culminate in horrible deaths for two key figures in the story. In flashbacks, as a special judge, Beatriz Teller, examines the facts surrounding the mysterious circumstances in the two deaths, we are given the details in order to absorb what really happened.

Mr. Pineyro gets excellent performances of his cast. Hector Alterio, is seen as the head of the Makantasis family. He is a good man who is pursuing a cause that means a danger for himself. The wonderful Cecilia Roth plays the investigating judge Teller with a fury that shows her determination and resolve. Leonardo Sbaraglia, one of the best actors from Argentina, is seen as Pablo, the middle brother. Daniel Kuzniecka makes Nicolas, the older brother, come alive. Leticia Bredice is amazing as Ana, the woman who awakens passion in all the brothers.

The film will satisfy the viewers because of the rich web spun by Marcelo Pineyro to ensnare us into this interesting tale of passion and crime.