Tales From The Dark Side of Argentina

Posted on August 10, 2019

Erica Rivas (bride); Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

The bride (Erica Rivas) spotted the groom (Diego Gentile) across the ballroom talking to this one woman. Alarm bells rang off in her female intuition, it was the way he touched her arm and smiled at her. Instinctively she grabbed his cell and called a number, then she saw the woman pick up in the other line: ‘Hola?’ She hung up and called again it was still her, and for the second time she could see the woman answering the call. This confirmed her suspicions all along.

Diego Gentile (groom) greets Margarita Molfino (Lourdes); Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

The world started to spin everything was falling apart. A voice announced the first dance for the new couple. The groom could see how distraught she was. He still took her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. She managed to ask, “Who was that woman with your coworkers?” Groom: Lourdes, why? Bride: Remember the number you said was your guitar teacher? She answered the call. Tell me Ariel did you sleep with her?

Erica Rivas (bride); Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

The scene above is from RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) from Argentina and was nominated both in the Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and the Palm D’Or award at Cannes. The film is a combination of six separate tales of societal injustice and vengeance. There’s horror, comedy, family drama even action all in one movie. What ties them together is that it never turns out the way you expect it. There’s a surprise at every turn. There’s not just one twist but several twists in one chapter.

Erica Rivas (bride) and Diego Gentile (groom) from Til Death Do Us Part Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

RELATOS SALVAJES is only one of many titles you can watch for free in CINE ARGENTINO at the RED CARPET cinemas of Shang Rila Plaza Mall running from August 14-17, 2019.Now on its fifth year,the fest is organized by the Embassy of Argentina in partnership with the FDCP (Film Development Council Of The Philippines). The line up includes an action drama about the Mafia in Argentina called EL CLAN (The Clan) starring Guillermo Francella and Peter Lanzani under the direction of Pablo Trapero.

from left: Ramiro M’Cann, Argentine Chargé D’Affaires Facundo Herrera, Shang Plaza Mktg officer Mimi Tecson, Argentine Cultural Affairs officer Frances Garganera. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019

RELATOS is a cross section of some of the best actors (and writing) in Argentina. Not to mention a variety of plots that provides deep insight to their society. The stories will keep you at the edge of your seat in suspense. There’s unpredictability to it very much in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock. There are also strong similarities with TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE because of horror elements and even THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Julieta Zylberberg (Moza) and Rita Cortese (Cocinera) from the Las Ratas Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

The fact that they’re just vignettes allows you to see and ‘experience’ more in just one movie. The nomination from two of the most prestigious award giving bodies in the world is richly deserved. Written below are some of the chapter titles within the movie (in no particular order). Interestingly enough, writer director Damian Szifron didn’t bother to show the titles in between. Although he does make it clear visually when they begin and end.

Ricardo Darin as Simon from the Bombita Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

BOMBITA (Little Bomb) stars Ricardo Darin, he is one of the most esteemed male leads in Argentina. His character Simon is at war with Buenos Aires’ dreaded parking bureau. He is caught in the cycle of having to provide for his family and not having enough time for them. On top of this he is entangled ina nightmare of having to pay exorbitant towing costs and fines after parking in an unmarked illegal spot. Simon’s struggle is something anyone who lives in a big city can relate to, whether you’re in L.A. or with the MMDA in Manila. The plight of the common man against an inhumane bureaucracy is made compelling, even thrilling.

The Bombita Chapter; Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

EL MAS FUERTE (The Strongest) also has the much sought after Leonardo Sbaraglia. He playsDiego Iturralde, a yuppie who gets involved in a road rage incident with a provincial toughie. Adding to the fear factor is the extremely remote, seemingly barren mountain region of Argentina. Everyone’s been in a similar situation and is a cautionary tale of how you shouldn’t let your temper get the best of you.

Walter Donaldo as Mario (outside car)from the El Mas Fuerte Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

Their literal ‘battle’can even raise tempers among the audience. The unforeseen twists here make it extremely entertaining and gripping. Hitchcock would be happy to give his own stamp of approval to this piece. But it took a very physical performance from both Sbaraglia and Walter Donaldo to say the least.

Leonardo Sbaraglia as Diego from the El Mas Fuerte Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019. (10)

from left: Osmar Nuñez (Abogado), Oscar Martinez (Mauricio) and Diego Velazquez (Fiscal) from the La Propuesta Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

LA PROPUESTA (The Proposal), this particular chapter will find resonance in the Philippines or any country dealing with corruption. The same theme is present in another chapter called LAS RATAS (The Rat).

The Proposal begins with a tragic car accident caused by a young rich teenager Santiago played by Alan Daicz. When it turns deadly where a pregnant woman and her unborn child dies, Santiago’s father Mauricio (Oscar Martinez)quickly calls his lawyer (Oscar Nuñez) to his home to resolve the matter. It devolves into a numbers game of how much he has to pay off cops, judges and his own sleazy lawyer for this case to go away. For both EL MAS FUERTE and LA PROPUESTA, reveals the class conflict between the rich and the poor, or how the rich can use their resources against anyone who stands in their way.

from left: Oscar Martinez (Mauricio) and Osmar Nuñez (Abogado). Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

HASTA QUE LA MUERTE NOS SEPARE (Til Death Do Us Part) this is literally the wedding from hell. What’s so terrifying about it is the fact that the conflict between the young couple is (again) very relatable. It could in theory happen to anyone. There are no mystical beings here or ghosts that ruin, what’s supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. The story is about their reactions to the situation that elevate the wedding reception to a disaster. Could they come back from it though?

The success of the final chapter relied a lot on the credibility of the performances of the couple: Erica Rivas as Romina and Diego Gentile as Ariel. They made the madness of it all quite believable. Til Death Do Us Apart by itself makes RELATAS a must see movie.

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Buenos Aires can be inhospitable for drivers– from the Bombita Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019. (16)

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RED CARPET Cinema

RED CARPET is the newly designed movie theaters of Shang Rila Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong. It features plush leather seating that you can push back and recline. Almost like the new Premium Economy seating in Philippine Airlines. The walls and shape of the theater also enhance the sound experience.

Just in case you arrive early and need a place to hang out, there’s a seating area outside the theater designed like a mini amphitheater. There’s a large LED screen where you can view trailers of up and coming titles. You don’t have to pay a single cent to enjoy this new area.

Comfortable Leather seats you can recline like Business class seats in Phil. Airlines at RED CARPET Cinema, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong. Photo by Jude Bautista

Also there’s a newly renovated snack bar that serves not just popcorn but hot dogs and other food items. If you’re on a tight budget you can buy pizza bread, ham tomato and cheese sandwich from Bread Talk (one level below) which has items that range from as low as P30 to P80 and bring them up to this new snack area. Or if you don’t want to go that far, get a Jamaican Beef Pattie right there (P55) eat them in this new fancy space and feel like a million bucks.

RED CARPET makes going to movies truly a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The problem is once you do experience it you may not want to watch movies anywhere else.

RED CARPET also has a new snack bar that serves not just popcorn but hot dogs and other food items. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Remote mountainous area in Argentina from the El Mas Fuerte Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

Oscar Martinez as Mauricio from the La Propuesta Chapter. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019. (18)

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Margarita Molfino (Lourdes) answers; Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

Margarita Molfino (Lourdes) talks to friend. Watch RELATAS SALVAJE (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019. (20)

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The Bombita Chapter; Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

Argentine Chargé D’Affaires Facundo Herrera & Shang Plaza Mktg officer Mimi Tecson. Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.

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Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019. (25)

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Erica Rivas (bride) and Abian Vainstein (Father); Watch RELATOS SALVAJES (Wild Tales) and other Argentine Films for free at Cine Argentino in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, from August 14-17, 2019.