Valeria Bertuccelli Movies
Lucia Puenzo's drama XXY probes the psychological aftereffects that adolescent transsexuality can yield. With a name easily applicable to either gender, young teenager Alex's (Ines Efron) hermaphroditic physiology causes a massive identity crisis and severe emotional withdrawal. The problems create social problems in the family's home of Argentina and virtually force Alex and his/her sympathetic parents, Kraken (Ricardo Darín) and Suli (Valeria Bertuchelli) to move to nearby Uruguay, at a point when Alex wrestles with the throes of puberty. The situation grows increasingly complex when several friends of the family arrive: marrieds Erika (Carolina Pelereti) and Ramiro (German Palacios), a plastic surgeon, and their adolescent son, Alvaro (Martin Piroyanski), whom Alex instantly propositions for sex. As Alex battles some local punks who try unsuccessfully to rape him/her (saved at the last minute by Kraken), Alvaro finally accepts Alex's promptings for intercourse and comes to a gradual realization of his own gayness. Meanwhile, the rift between the adults and the youth widens with increasing rapidity. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ines Flores, Ricardo Darín, (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)
- 2006
Director Diego Lerman follows a group of Buenos Aires denizens as they struggle to make important life decisions in this tale of interconnecting lives in contemporary Argentina. Melancholy Eva is attempting to forget about the past. Advised by a palm reader to watch for signs that will tell her how to move forward, Eva immediately washes away the marks meant to guide her before being set free from her woes by an unexpected act of violence. In another part of the city, Eva's old acquaintance Violeta will be forced to choose between fleeing to Spain with her partner Mono, or leaving him in the dust to start a new life of her own. But in the meantime, Mono is awaiting Violeta's decision before making his own choice about the future. Though Mono's mild-mannered friend Ciego yearns to give his wife a healthy child, his sterility makes that prospect impossible and Ciego is soon asking Mono for the ultimate favor. While Ciego is setting up a romantic tryst between his wife and his best friend, mama's boy Dalmiro is attempting to cut the apron strings and build the groundwork for a healthy future with pretty Eva. It's easy to get through life when you know exactly what it is that you want, but sometimes it's just more interesting when you don't. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valeria Bertuccelli, Maria Merlino, (more)
- 2005
Two sisters separated for the duration of the Argentine dictatorship spanning from 1976 to 1983 reconnect to confront the tragedy of their past in director Julia Solomonoff's reflective drama. It was 1975 when Natalia Levin's (Ingrid Rubio) militant boyfriend Martin (Nicolás Pauls) disappeared from Buenos Aires without a trace. Natalia was also separated from her sister Elena (Valeria Bertuccelli) that same year, but the two are once again drawn together when -- after the dictatorship crumbles -- Natalia travels to Austin, TX, to visit her sister and inquire about an unpublished novel written by her late father. Discovering that the novel is a fact-based account of their family's struggle during the dictatorship, Natalia and her sister are forced to confront the painful memories of the past before they can begin the healing process that will free them of the lingering guilt that accompanies their survival. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valeria Bertuccelli, Ingrid Rubio, (more)
- 2003
Martin Rejtman's downbeat comedy Los Guantes Mágicos (The Magic Gloves) follows a large cast of characters as they attempt to get out of their poor circumstances. Alejandro (Gabriel Fernandez Capello) hires himself out as a driver. He chauffeurs Sergio (Fabian Arenillas), who incorrectly believes Alejandro knows his brother Luis (Diego Olivera), an actor in pornographic films. Sergio invites Alejandro to move into Luis' apartment. Alejandro breaks up with his girlfriend Cecilia (Cecilia Biagini), but Cecilia strikes up a friendship with Sergio's wife Susana (Susana Pampin). Susana arranges a trip for Cecilia to a vacation spa, where Cecilia becomes acquainted with a stewardess who begins dating Alejandro. Soon the two men and Luis pool their meager monies and invest in a supply of "magic gloves" that are supposed to fit anyone -- but are rumored to grant their owner special powers. This film was screened in competition at the Locarno Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabriel Fernandez Capello, Valeria Bertuccelli, (more)
- 2003
Santiago Loza's Extrano (Strange) is an understated character study. Axel (Julio Chávez) is a former doctor who resides with his sister (Raquel Albeniz) and her kids. Axel listens attentively, but hardly ever says anything. After meeting the pregnant Erika (Valeria Bertucelli) and hearing the sad story of her friend's death, Axel moves in with her. Although he almost never speaks, they begin to form a bond that Axel must decide to maintain or sever as the baby's due date grows closer. Extrano was an award-winner at the 2003 Rotterdam Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julio Chávez, Valeria Bertuccelli, (more)
From director Daniel Barone, this sexy Argentinian romantic comedy centers on three people who suddenly and unwittingly find themselves thrust into a madcap love-rectangle. Alma and Mario are a couple, but lately their relationship has been on the rocky side. Enter Leo a soon-to-be-married architect. Through a case of mistaken identity, Leo and Alma find themselves in bed together, leading Alma to question her feelings for Mario and Leo to wonder whether he really wants to go through with his wedding. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1999
- NR
Author Martin Rejtman directed this low-key dramatic comedy about a woman suffering from an identity crisis. Silvia (Rosario Blefari) works in a cafe and is less then thrilled with her life, which seems to be going nowhere. On her 27th birthday, she decides some changes are in order, but the most she seems able to decide upon is buying a canary as a pet. Silvia decides to take a trip to Italy; once she's there, she meets a man who politely informs here she isn't the only woman named Silvia Prieto listed in the phone book, which starts her wondering about the others. Silvia Preito received its American premiere at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival; it was also screened at festivals in Berlin, Miami, Puerto Rico and San Francisco. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosario Blefari, Gabriel Fernandez Capello, (more)
