Heiners Filmseiten – Clandestine childhood (en)

Clandestine childhood (Infancia clandestina)

German title: Infancia clandestina (Kindheit in der Illegalität)
Francaise title: Enfance clandestine
Greek title: Με Λένε Ερνέστο
Russian title: Подпольное детство
Original title: Infancia clandestina

Alternative titles:
Paranomos erotas | Παράνομος έρωτας

Youth drama – Argentina, Spain, Brazil
Production year: 2011
Movie length: 122 minutes

Director: Benjamín Ávila
Writer: Benjamín Ávila, Marcelo Müller
Cinematograph: Iván Gierasinchuk
Music: Marta Roca Alonso, Pedro Onetto

Movie description:

Juan lives in clandestinity. Just like his mum, his dad and his adored uncle Beto, outside his home he has another name. At school, Juan is known as Ernesto. And he meets María, who only has one name.
Based on true facts, set in the Argentina of 1979, this film is »one about love«.

Argentina, 1979. After years of exile, 12-year-old Juan and his family return to Argentina under false identities. Juan’s parents and his eccentric uncle Beto are members of an underground resistance movement fighting against the Military Junta that rules the country. Their political activities make the threat of capture a constant concern. However, as seen through Juan’s eyes, daily life is also full of warmth, humor and discovery, as he makes new friends at school (where he is known as »Ernesto«), including his first serious girlfriend. Produced by Academy Award winner Luis Puenzo, writer-director Benjamín Ávila’s superb debut feature, based on events in his own family, recalls Sidney Lumet’s Running on Empty in its powerful portrait of childhood innocence at odds with life-or-death political ideals.

Boy Actors