Eva Perón: The True Story

Eva Perón: The True Story
Still of the film: Juan Perón (Víctor Laplace) holds a weakened Eva Perón (Esther Goris), resembling the real Evita's last speech.
Directed byJuan Carlos Desanzo
Written byJosé Pablo Feinmann
Produced byHugo E. Lauría
María de la Paz Marino
StarringEsther Goris
Víctor Laplace
CinematographyJuan Carlos Lenardi
Edited bySergio Zottola
Music byJosé Luis Castiñeira de Dios
Distributed byLíder Films
David Lamping
Release date
  • 24 October 1996 (1996-10-24)
Running time
114 minutes
CountryArgentina
LanguageSpanish
BudgetUS$3 million[1]

Eva Perón: The True Story, also known simply as Eva Perón, is a 1996 Argentine historical-biographical drama film directed by Juan Carlos Desanzo and starring Esther Goris and Víctor Laplace. It was written by José Pablo Feinmann, based on the life of Eva Perón. It was released on 24 October 1996, and won 3 "Cóndor" awards by the Argentine Film Critics Association in 1997, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress for Goris.

The film was selected as the Argentine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 69th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.[2][3]

Synopsis

The narration does not follow a chronologically linear interpretation of the full life of Eva Perón. Instead, it focuses on the political disputes during the last year of Eva's life. These disputes involved women's suffrage in Argentina, failed coup attempts against the Peronist government, and Eva's failed bid for the vice presidency. The story concludes with Eva's death in 1952.

Cast

Reception

Lisa Alspector of the Chicago Reader favoured Goris' "riveting" portrayal of Evita over that of Madonna in the American film, Evita (1996), based on the musical. Alspectot described the Argentine film as "an effective character study with plenty of subtext." She also stated that "it's fascinating to watch Goris and Victor Laplace (as Juan Peron) demystify sensationalized figures." She praised the greater emphasis on politics rather than Eva's brief acting career and felt the title character engaged viewers so that "you're compelled to ponder her complex motivations throughout."[4]

Awards and nominations

Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards

  • Best Actress (Mejor Actriz) – Esther Goris (WON)
  • Best Art Direction (Mejor Dirección Artística) – Miguel Ángel Lumaldo (WON)
  • Best Screenplay, Original (Mejor Guión Original – José Pablo Feinmann (WON)
  • Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía) – Juan Carlos Lenardi (nomination)
  • Best Director (Mejor Director) – Juan Carlos Desanzo (nomination)
  • Best Film (Mejor Película) – (nomination)
  • Best Music (Mejor Música) – José Luis Castiñeira de Dios (nomination)

Biarritz International Festival of Latin American Cinema

  • Audience Award – Juan Carlos Desanzo (nomination)

See also

References

  1. ^ McKenna, Kristine (18 December 1996). "A Weepy, Argentine Look at the Life of Eva Peron". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  2. ^ Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  3. ^ "39 Countries Hoping for Oscar Nominations". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 13 November 1996. Archived from the original on 9 February 1999. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  4. ^ Lisa Alspector, "Review: 'Eva Peron: The True Story'", Chicago Reader. Retrieved on 6 September 2010