A Red Bear (film)
Encyclopedia
Un Oso Rojo is a 2002 Argentine
, Spanish
, and French
drama film
, directed by Israel Adrián Caetano
.
The film was produced by Lita Stantic
, and the screenplay was written by Caetano and Graciela Speranza, from the story penned by Romina Lafranchini. The picture features Julio Chávez
, Soledad Villamil
, Luis Machín
, and Agostina Lage, among others.
) is sent to prison for a robbery and a murder. After seven years, he is released from prison, and in a flashback, the robbery is seen that led to his arrest. His daughter, Alicia (Agostina Lage), was a year old on the day of the robbery. As a consequence, Alicia never got a chance to get to know her father.
Oso returns to his hometown, a depressed suburb of Buenos Aires, fully aware that his wife, Natalia (Soledad Villamil
), is living with another man, Sergio (Luis Machín
). Oso is determined to establish a relationship with Alicia, and to collect money owed him by a sleazy crime boss known as the Turk (René Lavand
). In the meantime, the Turk wants Oso to be the getaway driver on one last big job. For her part, Alicia seems fascinated with her father and makes him promise never to go away again.
on May 23, 2002. It opened in Argentina
on October 3, 2002, making the picture Caetano's second film that opened in Argentina in 2002 (the last was Bolivia
in April).
The film was also shown at various film festivals, including: the Gothenburg Film Festival
, Sweden
; the Havana Film Festival
, Cuba
; the Latin America Film Festival, Poland
; the Lleida Latin-American Film Festival
, Spain
; the Cartagena Film Festival
, Colombia
; the Film by the Sea Film Festival, Netherlands
; and the Helsinki International Film Festival, Finland
.
In the United States
, the picture opened at the Sundance Film Festival
on January 17, 2003. It also screened at the New Directors/New Films Film Festival, New York
in March 2003; and the Milwaukee International Film Festival and Los Angeles
in October 2004.
A.O. Scott, film critic for The New York Times
, also liked the film and wrote, "Its combination of toughness and smooth, understated style makes it touching and absorbing..."
And journalist Diego Batlle, who writes for the Argentine
daily La Nación
wrote, "Un Oso Rojo imposes itself as a piece of great dramatic power that ratifies a prolific director's narrative talent."
Nominations
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
, directed by Israel Adrián Caetano
Israel Adrián Caetano
Israel Adrián Caetano is an Uruguayan-Argentine film director, producer and screenplay writer.-Biography:He's often credited as Adrián Caetano. He works mainly in the cinema of Argentina and at times obtains funding for his films in Europe. He lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.At age of sixteen his...
.
The film was produced by Lita Stantic
Lita Stantic
Élida Stantic , and more commonly known and credited as Lita Stantic, is an Argentine cinema producer, screenplay writer, and director....
, and the screenplay was written by Caetano and Graciela Speranza, from the story penned by Romina Lafranchini. The picture features Julio Chávez
Julio Chávez
Julio Chávez is a well-known Argentine film and television actor.He was born Julio Hirsch in Buenos Aires, and received his first film role in 1973...
, Soledad Villamil
Soledad Villamil
Soledad Villamil is an Argentine film and television actress and singer.-Filmography :* El secreto de sus ojos The Secret in Their Eyes* No sos vos, soy yo It's Not You, It's Me...
, Luis Machín
Luis Machín
Luis Alfonso Manuel Machín is an Argentine theater, film and television actor. He has appeared in several Argentine films, such as Felicidades and Un oso rojo , but his work has mainly been on television, notably in the series Son amores, Padre Coraje , and Montecristo...
, and Agostina Lage, among others.
Plot
Oso (Julio ChávezJulio Chávez
Julio Chávez is a well-known Argentine film and television actor.He was born Julio Hirsch in Buenos Aires, and received his first film role in 1973...
) is sent to prison for a robbery and a murder. After seven years, he is released from prison, and in a flashback, the robbery is seen that led to his arrest. His daughter, Alicia (Agostina Lage), was a year old on the day of the robbery. As a consequence, Alicia never got a chance to get to know her father.
Oso returns to his hometown, a depressed suburb of Buenos Aires, fully aware that his wife, Natalia (Soledad Villamil
Soledad Villamil
Soledad Villamil is an Argentine film and television actress and singer.-Filmography :* El secreto de sus ojos The Secret in Their Eyes* No sos vos, soy yo It's Not You, It's Me...
), is living with another man, Sergio (Luis Machín
Luis Machín
Luis Alfonso Manuel Machín is an Argentine theater, film and television actor. He has appeared in several Argentine films, such as Felicidades and Un oso rojo , but his work has mainly been on television, notably in the series Son amores, Padre Coraje , and Montecristo...
). Oso is determined to establish a relationship with Alicia, and to collect money owed him by a sleazy crime boss known as the Turk (René Lavand
René Lavand
Héctor René Lavandera, usually known as René Lavand , is a magician from Argentina specialising in close-up performance...
). In the meantime, the Turk wants Oso to be the getaway driver on one last big job. For her part, Alicia seems fascinated with her father and makes him promise never to go away again.
Cast
- Julio ChávezJulio ChávezJulio Chávez is a well-known Argentine film and television actor.He was born Julio Hirsch in Buenos Aires, and received his first film role in 1973...
as Oso - Soledad VillamilSoledad VillamilSoledad Villamil is an Argentine film and television actress and singer.-Filmography :* El secreto de sus ojos The Secret in Their Eyes* No sos vos, soy yo It's Not You, It's Me...
as Natalia - Luis MachínLuis MachínLuis Alfonso Manuel Machín is an Argentine theater, film and television actor. He has appeared in several Argentine films, such as Felicidades and Un oso rojo , but his work has mainly been on television, notably in the series Son amores, Padre Coraje , and Montecristo...
as Sergio - Agostina Lage as Alicia
- Enrique Liporace as Güemes
- René LavandRené LavandHéctor René Lavandera, usually known as René Lavand , is a magician from Argentina specialising in close-up performance...
as Trucko - Daniel ValenzuelaDaniel ValenzuelaDaniel Valenzuela , is a prolific film and television actor. He has also done some screenplay writing. He works in the cinema of Argentina....
as Alfarito - Freddy FloresFreddy Flores-Filmography:* Bolivia * Un Oso rojo aka A Red Bear-Award nomination:* Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor; Best New Actor for Bolivia; 2001.-External links:...
as Truck
Distribution
The film was first featured at the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
on May 23, 2002. It opened in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
on October 3, 2002, making the picture Caetano's second film that opened in Argentina in 2002 (the last was Bolivia
Bolivia (film)
Bolivia is an Argentine and Dutch drama film directed by Israel Adrián Caetano, his first feature-length film. The screenplay is written by Caetano, based upon the Romina Lafranchini story, about his wife...
in April).
The film was also shown at various film festivals, including: the Gothenburg Film Festival
Gothenburg Film Festival
Göteborg International Film Festival is an annual film festival in Gothenburg, Sweden, launched in 1979. The first year the festival showed 17 films on 3 screens, and had 3 000 visitors. Today, the film festival is the biggest in Scandinavia and takes place 10 days every year between January and...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
; the Havana Film Festival
Havana Film Festival
The Havana Film Festival is a Cuban festival that focuses on the promotion of Spanish-language filmmakers. It is also known in Spanish as Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano de La Habana, and in English as Festival of New Latinamerican Cinema of La Havana.The festival takes place...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
; the Latin America Film Festival, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
; the Lleida Latin-American Film Festival
Lleida Latin-American Film Festival
The Lleida Latin-American Film Festival is a cinema festival that takes place in Lleida, Spain awarding Latin American films. It is organised by the Latin American Centre of Lleida and is sponsored by the city council , the University of Lleida and La Caixa...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
; the Cartagena Film Festival
Cartagena Film Festival
The Cartagena Film Festival, or Festival Internacional de Cine y T.V. de Cartagena de Indias. is a Colombian film festival which focuses on the promotion of Colombian television programs, Latin American films, and videos...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
; the Film by the Sea Film Festival, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
; and the Helsinki International Film Festival, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the picture opened at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
on January 17, 2003. It also screened at the New Directors/New Films Film Festival, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in March 2003; and the Milwaukee International Film Festival and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in October 2004.
Critical reception
Film critic Neil Young thought the film was an engaging mix of crime thriller and family drama, and wrote, "[The film] is nevertheless an effective, if minor, foray into a dusty, neglected corner of modern-day Buenos Aires. We can feel Argentina's well-documented financial problems starting to sour the whole country's atmosphere, exerting unbearable pressures on the likes of Sergio, Oso and Natalia." Young also thought director Caetano elicited solid work from his actors.A.O. Scott, film critic for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, also liked the film and wrote, "Its combination of toughness and smooth, understated style makes it touching and absorbing..."
And journalist Diego Batlle, who writes for the Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
daily La Nación
La Nación
La Nación is an Argentine daily newspaper. The country's leading conservative paper, the centrist Clarín is its main competitor. It is the only newspaper in Argentina still published in broadsheet format.-Overview:...
wrote, "Un Oso Rojo imposes itself as a piece of great dramatic power that ratifies a prolific director's narrative talent."
Awards
Wins- Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor Award; Best Actor, Julio Chávez; 2003.
- Lleida Latin-American Film FestivalLleida Latin-American Film FestivalThe Lleida Latin-American Film Festival is a cinema festival that takes place in Lleida, Spain awarding Latin American films. It is organised by the Latin American Centre of Lleida and is sponsored by the city council , the University of Lleida and La Caixa...
: Best Actor, Julio Chávez; 2003. - Havana Film FestivalHavana Film FestivalThe Havana Film Festival is a Cuban festival that focuses on the promotion of Spanish-language filmmakers. It is also known in Spanish as Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano de La Habana, and in English as Festival of New Latinamerican Cinema of La Havana.The festival takes place...
: Best Music, Diego Grimblat; Special Jury Prize, Adrián Caetano; Special Mention, Lita Stantic; 2002.
Nominations
- Cartagena Film FestivalCartagena Film FestivalThe Cartagena Film Festival, or Festival Internacional de Cine y T.V. de Cartagena de Indias. is a Colombian film festival which focuses on the promotion of Colombian television programs, Latin American films, and videos...
: Golden India Catalina; Best Film, Adrián Caetano; 2004. - Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor Award; Best Actress, Soledad Villamil; Best Art Direction, Graciela Oderigo; Best Cinematography, Willi Behnisch; Best Director, Adrián Caetano; Best Editing, Santiago Ricci; Best Film; Best Music, Diego Grimblat; Best New Actor, René Lavan; Best New Actress, Agostina Lage; Best Original Screenplay, Adrián Caetano and Gabriela Speranza; Best Sound, Marcos De Aguirre; 2003.
External links
- Un oso rojo at cinenacional.comCinenacional.comCinenacional.com is a web portal and web-based database about Argentine cinema.The site provides a vast array of information, including: films, television programs, directors, actors, cinematographers, film editors, production designers, and other production professions in Argentina...
- Un Oso Rojo trailer at You Tube