Autumnal Abundance
A new season of Argentine films, books, music and more
El Affaire Miu Miu: Laura Citarella Returns to La Pampa
Laura Citarella follows up her much lauded four and a half hour epic, Trenque Lauquen - voted 2023’s Film of the Year by French film mag Cahiers du Cinema - with the 26 minute El Affaire Miu Miu, and revisits the Las Pampas town.
El Affaire Miu Miu was specially commissioned by the Italian fashion brand Prada, as part of a series of short films by international female filmmakers. The short marks the 28th film in the series that began in 2011 at the suggestion of Miuccia Prada, and is the second film to be directed by an Argentine filmmaker, following Lucrecia Martel´s noir Muta in 2011.
In El Affaire Miu Miu, Trenque Lauquen is chosen as the location to launch Miu Miu´s first fashion campaign in Argentina. The arrival of the photographic crew, and the beautiful model fronting the campaign, leads to much excitement, which intensifies a few days later when the model inexplicably disappears. An all-female detective squad, which includes a clairvoyant and some picturesque ‘peritas’, trace the model’s steps, encountering a trail of discarded outfits along the way and becoming increasingly fascinated by her clothes.
“This was the first time costumes became a focal point in my storytelling, and it was a revelation to realise that costumes could serve as characters.” Citarella told Vogue in a recent interview.
El Affaire Miu Miu premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival with directors such as Luca Guadagnino and actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Felicity Jones attending a gala dinner for the film.
Follow Laura Citarella for more details and El Affaire Miu Miu will be available to stream on Mubi from 27th September. You can watch Lucretia Martel’s Muta below.
Read Your Way Through Buenos Aires
It’s no secret that Buenos Aires has a lot of bookshops. But did you know Argentina’s principal city has more bookstores per capita than any other city in the world, and more than twice as many as New York City and London? It also boasts one of the world’s most beautiful booksshops, El Ateneo Grand Splendid. A recent New York Times article aptly entitled ‘ Read Your Way Through Buenos Aires’ featured a terrific reading list from Argentine author and Booker Prize finalist Samanta Schweblin with over a dozen titles. Along with recognised works by Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar and Adolfo Bioy Casares were some more contemporary but no less intriguing authors. Here’s a selection from the list and we’d love to hear your thoughts on these suggestions.
Samanta Schweblin’s Buenos Aires Book List: A Selection
White Glory Sara Gallardo, translated by Jessica Sequeira
Ghosts (Fantasmas), César Aira, translated by Chris Andrews
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed (Los peligros de fumar en la cama) Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowell
The Wind that Lays Waste (El viento que arrasa), Selva Almada, translated by Chris Andrews
A Perfect Cemetery (Un cementerio perfecto), Federico Falco, translated by Jennifer Croft
Bad Girls (Las malas), Camila Sosa Villada, translated by Kit Maude
Casa Abierta: The Argentine Ambassador’s Residence Opens Its Doors To The Public
This weekend sees the Open House Festival return to London where the Argentine Ambassador’s Residence in Belgrave Square will be amongst those properties offering the public a sneak peak behind their doors.
The four-storey mansion has been owned by Argentine since 1936, and was the first Embassy to open its doors to the public for London Open House in 2006.
Visitors are welcome from Saturday 14th September to Sunday 22nd September. There will also be a curator-led guided tour of the house and its artworks on Sunday September 15th between 3-5 pm. Book here You might even get your hands on a Ferrero Rochers.
Kevin Johansen & Liniers in London: Blurring art and music
Known for mixing rhythms and languages in his music, American-Argentine performer Kevin Johansen describes his work as ‘de-genre-ate’ given he has not settled on one style of music. He sings in English and Spanish, and combines elements of rock, folk and South American folklore: his songs are fun, deep, playful, intelligent and thoughtful.
“I kind of laugh at myself because I’m like this ‘slash songwriter’ ‘slash world music’ guy with a gringo name.” He’s joked.
For his London show at EartH Hackney he’ll be performing with long-time friend and collaborator, Liniers, who creates live art works during the show inspired by his songs. Friday 13th September, 7 pm: tickets
Argentine Cinema at San Sebastián Film Festival
Diego Lerman, director of last year’s, The Substitute, returns with a new film, The Man Who Loved Flying Saucers (El hombre que amaba los platos voladores) which will be premiering in the Official Competition at the upcoming San Sebastian Film Festival (20-28 September). The premiere, on 24th September, coincides with a ‘Day of Support’ for Argentine cinema. The festival will host a special delegation of Argentine producers, filmmakers, and journalists for a full day dedicated to demonstrating the festival’s solidarity with a vital cinema in crisis, and will also include an Argentine focus this year, with screenings of 16 films produced totally or partially in Argentina. Well worth checking out if you happen to be in the area.
And finally, we have some exciting news! Changes are coming to this newsletter. Stay tuned as we’ll be making an announcement very soon.
¡Saludos!
The Argentine Film Festival Team