Historias mínimas (2002)

Director:

Carlos Sorin

Writer:

Pablo Solarz (writer)

Release Date:

24 October 2002 (Argentina)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Historias que se cruzan...

Plot:

Three people and a baby set off on separate journeys, along the same road; their disparate dreams and stories intertwine amidst the breathtaking deserted Patagonic route.

Plot Keywords:

Salesman | Dog | Birthday | Rural | Turtle

Awards:

22 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Javier Lombardo	...	Roberto
Antonio Benedicti	...	Don Justo Benedictis
Javiera Bravo	...	María Flores
Julia Solomonoff	...	Julia
Laura Vagnoni	...	Estela
Enrique Otranto	...	Carlos
Mariela Díaz	...	Amiga de María
María Rosa Cianferoni	...	Ana
María del Carmen Jiménez	...	Panadera 1
Magín César García	...	César García
Armando Grimaldi	...	El mesero
Mario Splanguño	...	Panadero
Rosa Valsecchi	...	Panadera #2
Aníbal Maldonado	...	Fermín
Carlos Montero	...	Losa

Also Known As:

Intimate Stories (USA)
Minimal Stories (UK)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Argentina | Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color (Cinecolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

New Zealand:M | USA:Not Rated | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Austria:U | Belgium:KT | Brazil:12 | Chile:TE | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Poland:15 | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Santa Cruz, Argentina

Company:

Guacamole Films

Intimate Histories

Historias mínimas (2002), directed by Carlos Sorin, was shown at Rochester's Dryden Theatre as "Intimate Histories." This film is a small, excellent road movie.

The road is a well-paved but barren stretch of highway between a small village in Patagonia and a larger city. Four people are traveling this road--a young mother with her infant son, an older man, and a traveling salesman. The young mother is going to appear on a televised quiz show. The older man is searching for his dog, and the salesman hopes to impress an attractive widow with his thoughtful gift of a birthday cake for her son.

The stories--and travels--of these people intertwine as they get closer to their destination. Nothing goes exactly as planned, but each character deals with her or his situation in a reasonably successful way.

I was struck by the caring and concern that strangers show for the travelers. I wonder if this is a realistic portrayal of life in Patagonia. If so, it may represent the good side of a frontier mentality--nature isn't going to help us, and the government isn't going to help us, so we have to help each other. (In fact, the only non-helpful people the travelers encounter are the television quiz show staff. The implication could be that once you step away from reality and into show business, kindness disappears.)

All the acting was excellent. The actors appeared to be amateurs, and it takes a skilled director to bring forth great performances from non- professionals. I want to single out the performance of Antonio Benedicti as Don Justo Benedictis, the older man. Don Justo is determined to find his dog, and the sheer power of this determination (along with a supply of yerba mate) carries him forward.

Another reviewer has called this film a small gem, and I agree. It's worth seeking out if you'd enjoy following four people in their difficult Patagonian odysseys.