Iluminados por el fuego (2005)

The suicide of an old soldier buddy brings up some old memories for an Argentinian man.

Director:

Tristán Bauer

Writers:

Tristán Bauer, Miguel Bonasso

Stars:

Gastón Pauls, Pablo Ribba, César Albarracín

15 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Gastón Pauls	...	Esteban Leguizamón
Pablo Ribba	...	Alberto Vargas
César Albarracín	...	Juan Chamorro
Víctor Hugo Carrizo	...	Teniente Pizarro
Virginia Innocenti	...	Marta / Maria Vargas
Juan Leyrado	...	Teniente Alurralde
Arturo Bonín	...	Doctor Prina
Jon Lucas	...	(voice)
Mario Chaparro
Tony Lestingi
Carlos Garmendia	...	(voice)
Lautaro Delgado
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Miguel Oscar Acuna
Marcos Damian Alias
Gabriel Casal

Storyline

Blessed By Fire is the story of two young men sent to fight the 1982 war in the Falkland Islands (or as they are known in Argentina, the Malvinas) who return home bearing the brutal scars of war. Twenty years after the war's end, journalist Esteban Leguizamón is informed that Alberto Vargas, one of the men he served with, has attempted to commit suicide after suffering from years of depression brought on by his experiences in the war. Esteban visits the comatose Vargas at the hospital, and in a series of extended flashbacks, revisits the scene of Argentina's "unwinnable war." Esteban and fellow soldiers Vargas and Juan are living in foxholes on the remote, windswept Falklands, battling hunger, boredom, abuse, and the deprivations of war as they await the arrival of British forces. A series of harrowing battle scenes with British forces ensue, and the Argentines realize the futility and violence of their mission. They're cannon fodder, overwhelmed, outnumbered, pawns in a futile ...

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Plot Keywords:

journalist | hospital | argentina | memory | friend | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Movie site

Country:

Argentina Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

8 September 2005 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Blessed by Fire

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+ España, Gobierno de la Provincia de San Luis, Gobierno de la Provincia de Santa Cruz

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leguizamón mentions that over 290 veterans had committed suicide after the war, and indicates that this is the same as the name number of casualties there during the war. Argentine casualties during the war totalled 649, of which 321 were killed when the General Belgrano was sunk. If Leguizamón was counting only the casualties on the Falklands themselves, his figure is roughly correct. Source: Wikipedia

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Goofs

The sweat patterns on Leguizamón's jacket change in the two shots immediately after he leaves the infirmary.

User Reviews

Factual Correction

It would serve the reviewer better if those responsible for writing the reviews cold at least get the facts right. The Falklands war was between Great Britain and argentina. England may have contributed some troops to the cause but there where soldiers from more than just England involved. They came from all of The UK as well as Nepal,Australia and I believe even Canada. It is insulting to those involved to be referred to as English.

The incident where the Sir Galahad was bombed killed many Welsh Guards and injured many more. The final battle before the surrender was fought by the Scots guards. The Gurkas where about to launch an attack when the white flag was hoisted by the argentinians. The SAS who where there before the main landings took place have soldiers from many countries including New Zealand and Fiji.