Norberto's Deadline
Encyclopedia
Norberto's Deadline is a 2010 opera prima tells the story of Norberto. Fired from his job, Norberto tries his luck as a real estate agent, putting off telling his wife. His new boss recommends that he attend a personal assertiveness course to overcome his timidity and he starts studying acting at a beginners’ workshop. While preparing the 3-monthly show, while he fails in his endeavours to behave credibly towards his clients and his wife, what he does discover is a tremendous ability to lie to himself.
makes his feature filmmaking debut with this portrayal of Norberto (Fernando Amaral), a dissatisfied man who discovers a zest for acting and the theatre. Set in Hendler’s hometown of Montevideo, the film follows Norberto as his life is renewed by the discovery of an unknown talent.
Recently fired from his job at an airline, Norberto tries his hand at real estate. When the new boss criticizes his timidity and recommends that he attend a course in personal affirmation, Norberto opts for a theatre class instead and immediately discovers a passion for it. But he hides it from his wife and even begins lying to his peers. His attitude continues to harden until his wife leaves him. With his new-found liberty, this complex man must find a way to move forward.
Amaral’s performance as Norberto is both real and precise. Even better, his comedic timing is impeccable. In one hilarious sequence Norberto attempts to close the deal on an apartment occupied by an elderly couple who have become a nuisance to their children. When he shows the place to potential tenants, he must constantly shoo the old folks into the kitchen to hide. It’s Amaral’s charisma that imbues what could have been a cruel moment with endearing warmth and sensitivity.
Hendler knows the habits and quirks of actors inside out, of course, and brings that authenticity to his story of a man in the process of becoming a performer. A witty and inspiring film about the revelation of embracing one’s creativity, Norberto's Deadline also explores the complications of aspiring to achieve international success in a small country with few resources. Against those very same odds, Hendler has achieved just that. Diana Sanchez
, Uruguay
and is an actor, writer and director. He has acted in numerous Argentine productions, most notably in the films of Daniel Burman
, including Waiting for the Messiah
(2000), Every Stewardess Goes to Heaven (2002), Lost Embrace (2004) and Family Law (film)
(2006). He also made the short films Perro perdiddo (co-director, 2002) and Cuarto de hora (2004). Norberto's Deadline (2010) is his feature writing and directing debut.
, in the section Cineasti del Presente.
The movie won the award Televisión Española,in the section Cine en Construcción. It also participed in the 58th Edition 2010 of the San Sebastián International Film Festival
, in the section Horizontes Latinos. San Sebastian (Donostia in Euskera) is traditionally one of the biggest events on the Latin American movie calendar. In addition to the titles screened in the Official Selection and Zabaltegi-New Directors, it brings a specific selection of films from Latin America, unreleased in Spain, and competing for the Horizontes Award, that carries a cash prize of 35.000 euros.
The North American premiere was in the Toronto International Film Festival
in the Discovey programme, this programme spotlights the most exciting work from new and emerging directors from around the world.
Description
Uruguayan actor Daniel HendlerDaniel Hendler
Daniel Hendler is an Uruguayan film, television, and theatre actor who works mainly in the cinema of Argentina, where he lives. He is known for his starring roles in films such as Bottom of the Sea, Family Law, The Paranoids, Phase 7, and award winning Lost Embrace by director Daniel Burman, with...
makes his feature filmmaking debut with this portrayal of Norberto (Fernando Amaral), a dissatisfied man who discovers a zest for acting and the theatre. Set in Hendler’s hometown of Montevideo, the film follows Norberto as his life is renewed by the discovery of an unknown talent.
Recently fired from his job at an airline, Norberto tries his hand at real estate. When the new boss criticizes his timidity and recommends that he attend a course in personal affirmation, Norberto opts for a theatre class instead and immediately discovers a passion for it. But he hides it from his wife and even begins lying to his peers. His attitude continues to harden until his wife leaves him. With his new-found liberty, this complex man must find a way to move forward.
Amaral’s performance as Norberto is both real and precise. Even better, his comedic timing is impeccable. In one hilarious sequence Norberto attempts to close the deal on an apartment occupied by an elderly couple who have become a nuisance to their children. When he shows the place to potential tenants, he must constantly shoo the old folks into the kitchen to hide. It’s Amaral’s charisma that imbues what could have been a cruel moment with endearing warmth and sensitivity.
Hendler knows the habits and quirks of actors inside out, of course, and brings that authenticity to his story of a man in the process of becoming a performer. A witty and inspiring film about the revelation of embracing one’s creativity, Norberto's Deadline also explores the complications of aspiring to achieve international success in a small country with few resources. Against those very same odds, Hendler has achieved just that. Diana Sanchez
Director
Daniel Hendler was born in MontevideoMontevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
and is an actor, writer and director. He has acted in numerous Argentine productions, most notably in the films of Daniel Burman
Daniel Burman
Daniel Burman is a film director, screenplay writer, and producer.According to film critic Joel Poblete, who writes for Mabuse, a cinema magazine, Daniel Burman is one of the members of the so-called "New Argentina Cinema" which began c...
, including Waiting for the Messiah
Waiting for the Messiah
Waiting for the Messiah is a 2000 Argentine, Spanish, and Italian comedy drama film directed by Daniel Burman. The film features Daniel Hendler, Enrique Piñeyro, Héctor Alterio, Melina Petriella, Stefania Sandrelli, Imanol Arias and Dolores Fonzi, among others.The film won many awards including...
(2000), Every Stewardess Goes to Heaven (2002), Lost Embrace (2004) and Family Law (film)
Family Law (film)
Family Law is an Argentine, French, Italian, and Spanish, comedy-drama film, written and directed by Daniel Burman.The picture was produced by Diego Dubcovsky, José María Morales, and Marc Sillam, and co-produced by Amedeo Pagani....
(2006). He also made the short films Perro perdiddo (co-director, 2002) and Cuarto de hora (2004). Norberto's Deadline (2010) is his feature writing and directing debut.
Accolades
The European primere was in the Locarno International Film FestivalLocarno International Film Festival
The Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history...
, in the section Cineasti del Presente.
The movie won the award Televisión Española,in the section Cine en Construcción. It also participed in the 58th Edition 2010 of the San Sebastián International Film Festival
San Sebastián International Film Festival
The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953...
, in the section Horizontes Latinos. San Sebastian (Donostia in Euskera) is traditionally one of the biggest events on the Latin American movie calendar. In addition to the titles screened in the Official Selection and Zabaltegi-New Directors, it brings a specific selection of films from Latin America, unreleased in Spain, and competing for the Horizontes Award, that carries a cash prize of 35.000 euros.
The North American premiere was in the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
in the Discovey programme, this programme spotlights the most exciting work from new and emerging directors from around the world.