directed and co-written by Pablo Trapero (106 minutes)
Following the return of democratic government in Argentina, Arquímedes Puccio, with a wife, three sons, and two daughters, has lost his position, privileges and salary as an intelligence operative. The returns from the family grocery store do not meet his expectations of income or status. So, he goes freelance. Rather than disappearing political opponents of the generals, he plans to kidnap people whose families can pay for their safe return. He has the skills and the contacts to set up a snatch team, and protection within the police. Eldest son Alex, an affable, well-known and much-liked Argentinean rugby international, has contacts with money – the ideal client base – and they fix on one of his club team mates as their first target. This may all sound far-fetched, but it’s based on a real event in 1982-83, research and interviews with people involved, and, specifically, the activities of a family the press dubbed ‘El Clan’.
