The Official Story - 1985

About The Official Story: Detailed Plot and Summary

The Official Story, originally titled 'La historia oficial', is a poignant Argentinian drama that explores the aftermath of the Dirty War. Alicia, played by Norma Aleandro, is a history teacher who lives a comfortable life with her husband, Roberto, and their adopted daughter. As Alicia starts to question the origins of her daughter amidst the backdrop of the Dirty War, the unsettling reality unfolds. The film tastefully uses personal narrative to shed light on the political history of Argentina.

Making / Production

The film is directed by Luis Puenzo and produced by Marcelo Piñeyro. The Official Story was one of the first films to openly discuss the Argentinian dictatorship's horrific 'disappearances' and was filmed in secret to avoid government interference. The realistic and powerful performances laid the groundwork for a gripping narrative.

Actors

• Norma Aleandro played Alicia, the protagonist. Her performance beautifully captures the internal conflict and discovery of uncomfortable realities.
• Héctor Alterio played Roberto, Alicia's husband, adding complexity to the story through his shady role in the adoption of their daughter.
• Analía Castro played Gaby, the adopted daughter. Her innocence is a stark contrast to the overall grim ambience of the story.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Official Story was the first Argentinian film to win an Academy Award.
• The film was shot in secrecy during the military dictatorship in Argentina.
• Norma Aleandro won the Best Actress award at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival for her performance in the film.

Awards

'The Official Story' is a critically acclaimed film that has won several awards. Most notably, it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985. Norma Aleandro also bagged the prize for Best Actress at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.

Quotes

• Roberto: "Sometimes reality has a way of bumping into reason."
• Alicia: "It's not that I don't want to see, it's that sometimes I can't!"

Music, Soundtrack

• The film’s evocative score was composed by Atilio Stampone.
• Martha Cooper contributed significantly to the poignant and emotional soundtrack of the movie.