Valentín

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Valentín

Theatrical Poster
Directed by Alejandro Agresti
Produced by Eddy de Kroes
Written by Alejandro Agresti
Starring Julieta Cardinali
Carmen Maura
Rodrigo Noya
Music by Luis Salinas
Paul M. van Brugge
Cinematography Jose Luis Cajaraville
Editing by Alejandro Brodersohn
Distributed by Miramax Films
Release date(s) Netherlands:
September 29, 2002
Running time 86 minutes
Country Argentina
France
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
Language Spanish
Official website
IMDb profile

Valentín is an Argentine, French, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish film, released in 2002, and written and directed by Alejandro Agresti.[1]

The picture revolves around the world of a eight-year old boy, Valentín (Rodrigo Noya), who dreams of becoming an astronaut. While caught in the middle of his family, he attempts to better the bewildering world around him.

Tagline: Cupid just turned eight.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The film is told through the eyes of Valentín, a small cross-eyed boy (Rodrigo Noya) whose thick black-rimmed glasses sit heavily on his face.

He lives in Buenos Aires in the 1960s, and lives with his grandmother (Carmen Maura) due to the divorce of his parents.

Valentín no longer sees his mother, who was chased out of the family home by his imperious, dictator-like father (Alejandro Agresti).

The father drops by only for occasional visits to his mother and son, preferring to live the life of an Argentine playboy.

Yet, Valentín manages to touch the people around him: his grandmother who's ill, the piano teacher from across the street (Mex Urtizberea), and Leticia (Julieta Cardinali), his father's latest romantic interest.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Exhibition

The film was first presented at the Netherlands Film Festival on September 29, 2002. It opened in Argentina on March 12, 2002 at the Mar del Plata Film Festival, and opened wide in the country on September 11, 2003.

The film was shown at various film festivals, including: the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Netherlands; the Cinémas d'Amérique Latine de Toulouse, France; the Cannes Film Festival, France; the Seattle International Film Festival, USA; the Toronto Film Festival, Canada; the London Film Festival, UK; and others.

In the United States it opened on a limited basis on May 7, 2004.

[edit] Background

In the DVD interview with director Alejandro Agresti, he says the film was based on one year of his childhood. Furthermore, Agresti says he was motivated by what he perceives as the nature of kids. He makes the case that kids have an ability to deal with life's difficulties and have a natural inclination to overcome obstacles out of sheer love and necessity, and not out of pride and fear.

[edit] Critical reception

Leticia and Valentín
Leticia and Valentín

The film was well received by film critics and at the film festivals it was screened.

The New York Times's Dave Kehr seems to like the film (he says nothing negative about it) but does make the case that the director panders to the audience a bit. He said, "[The film] has become all too familiar in the art houses: the cute child who awakens the cranky grown-ups around him to the infinite possibilities of life...[it] neglects few opportunities to pander to its public...[and] soon enough the bouncy pop score takes over again, and Valentín returns to its true business, tugging at well-worn heart strings.[2]

Some critics were tough on the film. David N. Butterworth writing for the web based Offoffoff.com, the guide to alternative New York, said, "Unfortunately, Valentín isn't as cute as he — or director Agresti — thinks he is, and without much substance beyond the lovable lug's space-cadet antics, the film quickly becomes tiresome, even joyless."[3]

[edit] Cast and ratings

Ratings
Argentina:  Atp
Belgium:  KT
Italy:  T
Netherlands:  AL
Spain:  7
United Kingdom:  PG
United States:  PG-13
  • Julieta Cardinali as Leticia
  • Carmen Maura as Abuela
  • Jean Pierre Noher as El tío Chiche
  • Mex Urtizberea as Rufo
  • Rodrigo Noya as Valentín
  • Alejandro Agresti as El padre
  • Carlos Roffé as Dr. Galaburri
  • Lorenzo Quinteros as Hombre del bar
  • Marina Glezer as La maestra
  • Stéfano Di Gregorio as Roberto
  • Fabián Vena as El cura

[edit] Awards

Wins

Nominations

  • Oulu International Children's Film Festival: Starboy Award, Alejandro Agresti; 2003.
  • Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor; Best Cinematography, Jose Luis Cajaraville; Best Sound, Fernando Soldevila; Best Supporting Actor, Mex Urtizberea; Best Supporting Actress, Julieta Cardinali, Best Supporting Actress, Carmen Maura; 2004.
  • Cartagena Film Festival: Golden India Catalina; Best Film, Aejandro Agresti; 2004.
  • Young Artist Awards: Young Artist Award Best International Feature Film; 2004.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Valentín at the Internet Movie Database
  2. ^ Kehr, Dave. The New York Times, film review, May 7, 2004.
  3. ^ Butterworth, David N. Offoffoff.com, film review, "Charm offensive," May 25, 2004.

[edit] External link

Cinema of Argentina

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