Kindergarten (film)
Encyclopedia
Kindergarten is a 1989 Argentine movie directed by Jorge Polaco
, based on Asher Benatar's novel. It stars Graciela Borges
, Arturo Puig
and Luisa Vehil
. It was banned from theaters one day short of its release and has remained unreleased in Argentina for over 20 years.
in their mansion. They live with Graciela's widowed mother, Luisa. Graciela is particularly keen on one boy, Luciano, on whom she makes sexual advances.
As the movie progresses, the relationship between Graciela and Arturo tenses. Scenes show them celebrating kids' birthdays while having sex in hiding, practicing a ritualistic burning of a wrecked car, mistreating their comatose grandfather (victim of said car wreck) and generally torturing Luciano.
The end has Luciano imprisoning and gassing Graciela and Arturo, and then escaping with Luisa on a horse-drawn carriage.
scene. The movie was banned from theaters one day short of release and a prolonged trial ensued over eight years, emotionally devastating Polaco and his fellow workmen. The film remains unreleased in Argentina. It has gained notoriety as being the first film to be censored by the government following the end of the Dirty War
in 1983.
Polaco has since lobbied for the release of Kindergarten in public theaters.
Jorge Polaco
Jorge Polaco is an Argentine filmmaker whose film, En el nombre del hijo, won best film at the Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival.- Career :...
, based on Asher Benatar's novel. It stars Graciela Borges
Graciela Borges
Graciela Borges is an Argentine television and film actress.She has been working in the Argentine cinema and television since her first role in the film Zafra ....
, Arturo Puig
Arturo Puig
Arturo Puig is an Argentine theatre, television and motion picture actor.-Cinema:* Los Muchachos de mi barrio * El Veraneo de los Campanelli * He nacido en la ribera * Me gusta esa chica...
and Luisa Vehil
Luisa Vehil
Luisa Vehil was an Uruguayan theater and movie actress who had a notable career in Argentina...
. It was banned from theaters one day short of its release and has remained unreleased in Argentina for over 20 years.
Plot
The movie focuses on the marriage of Graciela and Arturo, who operate a kindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
in their mansion. They live with Graciela's widowed mother, Luisa. Graciela is particularly keen on one boy, Luciano, on whom she makes sexual advances.
As the movie progresses, the relationship between Graciela and Arturo tenses. Scenes show them celebrating kids' birthdays while having sex in hiding, practicing a ritualistic burning of a wrecked car, mistreating their comatose grandfather (victim of said car wreck) and generally torturing Luciano.
The end has Luciano imprisoning and gassing Graciela and Arturo, and then escaping with Luisa on a horse-drawn carriage.
Controversy
The film sparked controversy due to its perceived mistreat of child actors (the protagonist, an eleven year-old, spends most of his screen-time naked), as well as a number of censored scenes: an adult woman and a child take a bath together, the same woman later on makes suggestive advances on the child, plus the inclusion of an unrelated, explicit oral sexOral sex
Oral sex is sexual activity involving the stimulation of the genitalia of a sex partner by the use of the mouth, tongue, teeth or throat. Cunnilingus refers to oral sex performed on females while fellatio refer to oral sex performed on males. Anilingus refers to oral stimulation of a person's anus...
scene. The movie was banned from theaters one day short of release and a prolonged trial ensued over eight years, emotionally devastating Polaco and his fellow workmen. The film remains unreleased in Argentina. It has gained notoriety as being the first film to be censored by the government following the end of the Dirty War
Dirty War
The Dirty War was a period of state-sponsored violence in Argentina from 1976 until 1983. Victims of the violence included several thousand left-wing activists, including trade unionists, students, journalists, Marxists, Peronist guerrillas and alleged sympathizers, either proved or suspected...
in 1983.
Polaco has since lobbied for the release of Kindergarten in public theaters.