THE THIRD SIDE OF THE RIVER

Argentina, 2014, 98 minutes, Colour.
Alian Devetac, Daniel Veronese.
Directed by Celina Murga.

Where is the third side of the river? An island in the middle? An island of uncertainty?

This film shows an Argentinian family, which turns out to be a second family while the father has another wife and child. But this child is at home in the second family, playing with the children, helped by the older brother when he is bullied at school.

The film focuses on the older brother, Nicolas, played by Alian Devetac, a non-professional performer who is very convincing in the role of a 16-year-old, devoted to his family, but very suspicious of his father. He experiences a number of dilemmas, his father wanting him to take an apprenticeship in his clinic so that he will have access to studies and a career. The father also owns a ranch and takes his son to see it, hoping that he will manage it.

The film also shows the mother, loving her husband but aware of his fickleness. A teenage daughter is about to turn 15 and all her hopes and attention is focused on her party.

Nicholas is an introvert so it is not immediately evident what is going inside his mind and his heart – but, at the end, when he sets the barn of the ranch alight and jumps on the back of a truck to go to…, the film has proven itself an emotional and psychological exploration of a teenager.

1. The title, meaning, as applied to Nicolas and his life and choices?

2. Argentina, the city, ordinary, homes and school, hospital, the scenes on the ranch? The Argentinian flavour? the musical score? The songs – especially the karaoke and the theme of prayer?

3. The opening, the family playing, ordinary, not foreshadowing the changes?

4. Jorge and Nilda, in the house, his resting, the sexual encounter, his leaving? The broken marriage?

5. Nicolas, his age, a morose personality, his place on the family, his love to his mother/not? Playing with Esteban, the little boy’s age, behaviour? Andre and sharing with her? The other boy, the half brother? Nicolas liking him, playing with him, defending him when he was being bullied, his playing rugby, the two going out shooting with their father?

6. The effect on Nicolas, his classes, his work, finishing his work well, his group of friends, concern about Andre’s party, his concerned about the boy being bullied, trying to get him to stand up for himself?

7. His new job, learning on the job, working at the desk, his father giving him the apprenticeship, advising him that it would be beneficial for the future?

8. Jorge, Nicolas calling him by this name, his being in and out of the house, Nicolas watching him, the gift of the television? His work as a doctor, the patients, at his workplace? At the ranch, the scenes of riding, the shooting of the pig? His concerned about his ranch? Giving Nicolas the money, the envelopes the distribution, for his wife, for Andre and a present, Carmelo at the ranch? Jorge and his health?

9. Andrea, her age, turning 15, around the family, the meals, her party, Nicolas and the waltz with her? Their mother and Nicolas receiving the guests, the mother’s happiness?

10. Nicolas going to the ranch, giving the money to Carmelo, setting the fire to the ranch, to the truck?

11. Nicolas waiting for the truck, getting into the back, leaving – to where?