Julieta Cardinali Movies
- 2008
A woman losing her grip on her sanity discovers that the caring stranger who comes to her aid may ruin her life in this thriller. Fernanda Segovia (Cuca Escribano) and Enrique Gonzalvo (Fele Martinez) are a pair of editors and literary agents who have guided the career of writer Camila Ponte (Julieta Cardinali), transforming her into one of Europe's leading literary celebrities on the strength of her wildly successful first novel. Camila has been working on her second book, but stress, depression and writers' block have stalled the project, and Fernanda and Enrique fear Camila is on the verge of an emotional collapse. A benefactor arrives at Camila's doorstep in the form of Vera Galindo (Ana Torrent), a keen admirer of her work who offers to take her away from the pressure of life in the city. Vera escorts Camila to a beautiful hotel in a small country town, where innkeeper Palmira (Angela Molina) offers her customers peace, quiet and solitude. Camila thrives in her new surroundings, and Fernanda and Enrique are happy to hear that she's become newly productive since getting away from it all. But Fernanda and Enrique soon learn Vera is not as benevolent as she seemed -- she has evidence that proves Camila's first novel was actually the work of her father, and that the successful author is in fact a fraud. 14, Fabian Road was written and directed by Jaime de Arminan; it was his first feature film since El Palomo Cojo in 1995. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ana Torrent, Julieta Cardinali, (more)
- 2007
Writer/director Esteban Sapir offers a cautionary tale of media control in this highly stylized thriller that draws on film noir and German Expressionism to tell the tale of a society that has literally lost its ability to speak after bowing to the constant barrage of broadcasts and products of the omnipresent Mr. TV (Alejandro Urdapilleta). It is year X in the City Without a Voice, and the only individual who retains the ability to convey her thoughts through speech is the mysterious Voice (Florencia Raggi). A faceless singer whose soothing songs are heard on one of Mr. TV's most popular programs, The Voice comes under threat when Mr. TV teams with Dr. Y (Carlos Pineiro) to take total control of the thrush and use her vocal chords to pursue their own nefarious plan. Their devious scheme soon hits an unexpected hitch, however, when it is revealed that The Voice's son Tomas (Jonathan Sandor), who was born without eyes, also possesses the power of speech. Soon after The Voice is kidnapped by Mr. TV and Dr. Y, The Inventor (Rafael Ferro) races to Tomas' rescue and sets into motion a plan designed to end the dubious reign of the media-savvy Mr. TV. With the help of The Inventor's devoted daughter Ana (Sol Moreno) and faithful wife The Nurse (Julieta Cardinali), The Inventor sets into motion a plan to rescue The Voice before Mr. TV achieves complete mind control over the population. Little does The Inventor realize, however, that Mr. TV's evil henchman Mouseman (Raul Hochman) is hot on his trail and determined to see his boss' plan succeed at any cost. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valeria Bertuccelli, Alejandro Urdapilleta, (more)
A reality television series crosses into deadly territory in this social satire. Patricio (Francisco Reyes) is a television executive who has created a new show, "Baja Tierra," in which a dozen people of different backgrounds and personalities are taken to a remote location high in the Andes, where they'll be kept in an underground holding area while cameras monitor their actions. As Patricio and host Rodrigo (Cristián de la Fuente) watch the proceedings, it becomes increasingly clear they're less interested in the welfare of the contestants than coming up with material that will draw an audience, especially since the show will be airing opposite a major soccer tournament. So far, Patricio is satisfied with the angry outbursts and illicit sexual encounters among his charges, which are attracting a large audience, but things take a disturbing turn when Miguel (Sebastián Layseca), one of the contestants, snaps and begins killing the other players, leaving Patricio to wonder if he should stop the violence or keep giving the viewers at home the violence they want. El Nominado was screened as part of the 2004 Los Angeles Latino Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cristián de la Fuente, Francisca Merino, (more)
Venerable Argentinian filmmaker Alejandro Agresti turns his lens to his own childhood in this nostalgic coming-of-age tale. Set in the director's hometown of Buenos Aires circa 1964, Valentin centers around its title character (and ostensible stand-in for the director), a nine-year-old boy (Rodrigo Noya) whose feuding parents have left him to be raised by his sage, eccentric grandmother (Carmen Maura). With his father (Agresti) visiting only occasionally, Valentin is left to look to the other men in the neighborhood for father figures, and to replace his absent mother, he warms to Leticia (Julieta Cardinali), one of his father's many short-term girlfriends. When he tells her personal secrets about his father, however, Valentin jeopardizes their relationship. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rodrigo Noya, Carmen Maura, (more)
