Whisky Romeo Zulu (2004)

The film tells the story prior to the accident LAPA Boeing 737 on 31 August 1999 after hitting an embankment in central Buenos Aires, killing 67 people. Directed and performed by a former ... See full summary »

Director:

Enrique Piñeyro

Writers:

Enrique Piñeyro, Emiliano Torres

Stars:

Enrique Piñeyro, Mercedes Morán, Alejandro Awada

6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Enrique Piñeyro	...	T
Mercedes Morán	...	Marcela
Alejandro Awada	...	Gonzalo
Adolfo Yanelli	...	Fiscal
Carlos Portaluppi	...	Gordo
Martín Slipak	...	Little T (as Martin Slipak)
Sergio Boris	...	Adrián
Martín Adjemián	...	De Angelis
Miguel Dedovich	...	Comodoro Trapattoni
Humberto Serrano	...	New Manager
Marcos Woinsky	...	Comandante
Mucio Manchini	...	Luigi (as Luis Mancini)
Silvina Bosco	...	Psychiatrist
Gabo Correa	...	Marcela's Husband
Gabriel Molinelli	...	President of the Table

Storyline

The film tells the story prior to the accident LAPA Boeing 737 on 31 August 1999 after hitting an embankment in central Buenos Aires, killing 67 people. Directed and performed by a former pilot of the same company, this film reveals a complex web of complicity between the Air Force and the company to circumvent security controls in order to obtain greater economic benefit in operations.

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Plot Keywords:

based on real events | boeing 737 | flight | air crash | airplane on fire | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

From 01:35:50 for about 20 seconds you can see the fateful airplane accelerate down the runway with the flaps completely retracted. This is exactly what happened to the real WRZ flight and caused the takeoff to fail. It is a deadly practice and must have been staged exclusively for that scene to be shot. No doubt the plane deployed the reverse thrusters and brakes to slow down before the end of the runway after the shot ended.

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Goofs

In the scene where T and the other pilot are talking inside an ESSO gas station, a "energy" sign can be seen in the background. This brand of fuel was not available until 2004, while the movie takes place in 1999.

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Connections

Followed by Fuerza aérea sociedad anónima (2006)

User Reviews

a powerful and mesmerizing film that must be seen

I had the pleasure of seeing this film at the Bahamas Film Festival and was truly amazed by this film. It is an autobiographical retelling of Enrique Pineyro's (Director/Writer/Lead Actor) real-life experience as a whistle blower against the corrupt corporate and government practices regarding airline safety and regulation in Argentina. It is a brave and extraordinarily powerful story. Pineyro beautifully depicts his love for flying. As a pilot, Pineyro faced unbelievable pressure to perform under duress with poorly functioning planes and an administration more concerned with the bottom line, then the safety of its human cargo. Both lyrical and troubling the film weaves in and out of Pineyro's experience which culminates in the sad aftermath of the famous LAPA plane crash of '99 in Buenos Aires, which Pineyro himself predicted, resulting in the deaths of 37 people. Pineyro's story is fascinating. The cinematography and score is simply captivating, and the performances by all are top notch. His ability as a director and an actor is incredible. I beseech you all to see this film. Bravo Enrique.

Details

Official Sites:

Aquafilms MK2 [France]

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

21 April 2005 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Виски Ромео Зулу

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$596,167

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aquafilms, Terra Vermelha Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1