UN CRIMEN COMMUN/ A COMMON CRIME
Argentina, 2020, 96 minutes, Colour.
Elisa Caricajo, Mecha Martinez, Ciro Coien Pardo, Eliot Otazo.
Directed by Francisco Marquez.
In one sense, this is a rather low-key film from Argentina, a portrait of a woman caught up in an unexpected event, its aftermath haunting her, the questions of moral decision she made and should have made.
Cecilia is separated from her husband, has an energetic little son, is a lecturer at college in economic theory, is demanding on her students. She also has a housekeeper coming in with whom she is very friendly. The housekeeper has a teenage son who calls into the house at various times.
In terms of the crime, the young man is killed by the police and his body thrown in the river. The neighbourhood is aghast. Lectures at the college are suspended. There are protests against the police.
There is a complication in the investigation because the young man had woken Cecilia during the night, banging on her door. She has been cautious and then afraid, seeing him but not opening the door. So, the question is, should she help in the investigation, should she tell the truth to her housekeeper friend.
The film becomes very focused on Cecilia, the way that her decision and its consequences prey on her mind, communication with her friend – and, some elaboration at the end, a party for her son at a fairground and her riding on the rollercoaster, the dipping, the rising, the wind in her face, some primal screaming which may give her some liberation.
1. The title? The nature of the crime? The murder of Kevin? Cecilia and her not going to his assistance? Her not going to the police? The consequences?
2. The Argentina setting, the city, homes, neighbourhoods, schools? The musical score?
3. The focus on Cecilia, her story, separated from her husband, at home with her son, at the theme park (and the sinister faces of the ghost train during the credits)? Cecilia’s friend and her son, the discussions about birthday parties at the park? Her students, her courses, quoting from the texts, on economic social theories? The working class? The couple coming to ask for advice about the project – and seen later helping them? At home, with Gebe, housekeeping, care for the son? The bond between the two women?
4. The visit of Kevin, a moment’s focus on him, his relationship with his mother?
5. Cecilia in bed, sleep, the knock at the door, her fears, hiding, seeing Kevin?
6. The news of Kevin’s death, his being harassed by the police, the accusations that they murdered him, his body in the river? The crowds, Cecilia joining them, the smoke to disperse the crowds? The students, the suspension of classes?
7. The dilemma for Cecilia, her going to consult her friend, not telling her the truth? The friend, her son, the lawyer, the reaction against the police?
8. Cecilia trying to live her ordinary life, but haunted by the experience, her relationship with her son, his going to stay with his father, the issue of the birthday present? Suspension of classes, Cecilia and her wanting tenure in her job?
9. Her going to see her friend, telling the truth, the hard reaction, Cecilia going on her way?
10. The celebration of the birthday, happy occasion?
11. The theme park, the rollercoaster, Cecilia sitting on the rollercoaster, heightened tension, her scream, letting out the torment of the dilemma about what she should have done?
