by Amy Ramirez, contributting blogger
The gaucho-centered western Aballay, El Hombre sin Miedo (The Man without Fear), directed by Fernando Spiner was recently announced as Argentina’s selection for the Oscar nomination in the best foreign-language film category. We must ask, will empanada-westerns be the new spaghetti western?
The movie is a deeply reflective yet gritty tale about a young man who wants to avenge his father’s death at the hands of an aging gaucho that turns away from evil-doing and seeks to amend his criminal past (for a more thorough review of the film on Filming in Argentina click here).
With 22 out of the 69 votes cast, Aballay beat out both Sebastian Borensztein’s Un Cuento Chino, and Santiago Mitre’s critically acclaimed El Estudiante. The film recently won “best film” in the International Western Film Festival held in Spain.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 is when the Academy will announce which films will be nominated for best foreign-language film.
You can read more about the film and listen to it’s great theme music (based on a patriotic hymn) at http://www.aballaypelicula.com.ar/
Filming in Argentina: The blog of San Telmo Productions 