KOBLIC

Argentina, 2016, 92 minutes, Colour.
Ricardo Darin, Oscar Martinez, Inma Cuesta.
Directed by Sébastian Borensztein.

This is a brief Argentinian film going back into dread aspects of later 20th century Argentinian history, the era of the dictatorship of the generals.

An initial piece of information is given, reminding audiences about the practice of taking political prisoners up in planes and then pushing them, alive, out of the planes into the sea.

Top Argentinian actor, Ricardo Darin, portrays a former pilot who feels the need to get out of Buenos Airies, leave his wife, go to work for a friend in the country, crop dusting.

While the politics and the suspense is in the background, the film is also one of those close looks at a small country town, the Mayor who gives Koblic a lift when he has to land his plane on the highway, the owner of the local store and his assistant, Nancy, the young man who also works at the airfield.

In the background is political intrigue, an oppressive marriage relationship, an affair, deaths.

The military catch up with Koblic but the end is left open as to what will happen to him personally as well as his situation and his participation, however unwillingly or willingly, in the deaths of political prisoners.

1. The introduction and the explanation of the period of the generals, dictatorship, the many victims, and the flinging of victims from the planes into the sea?

2. The flashbacks to these episodes? The impact on Thomas?

3. When desire is, homes, streets and busses? The countryside, the small town, the hanger and Alberto’s life and work? The garage, the shop? The aerial flights, crop., the joyride with Nancy? The musical score?

4. The title, the focus on Thomas? The mystery of his leaving? His wife, the plan? His disappearance?

5. Thomas and his memories, being a pilot, his role in the victims in the planes?

6. Alberto, the friendship, offering him a haven, Tom is flying the plane? The second flight, the engine failing, landing on the highway? The encounter with the Mayor, the lift back to town?

7. Thomas finding an alternate life, Alberto in it out, supporting him? The young man working at the hanger, his mental limitations?

8. Thomas going into town, the cylinders, at the shops? The encounter with Nancy? The bond, the sexual attraction, her riding the horse, the rendezvous with Thomas, the clash the sexual liaison?

9. Nancy, her story, personality? Her relationship with Omar, the uncle, alleged husband and wife? The sexual encounter, her being a victim? Omar coming back, suspecting her, talking to the media? His spine, the confrontation with Thomas? His death, the burial?

10. The bear, contact with the military, trying to find out about Thomas, talking with Omar? His interviewing the young man? The confrontation with Alberto, his shooting him? Thomas killing in?

11. The plan, the young man and his help, driving the vehicle, the playing?

12. Thomas, contact with the military, coming in, in his uniform after the discussion with the military man and what was required of him?

13. A drama for an Argentinian audience, memories of the dictatorship and the brutality, something of an examination of conscience?