Funny Dirty Little War

While we ordinarily champion lesser known international films, this bizarre comedy-drama from Argentinean director Hector Olivera is likely to confuse some people. The year is 1974. Peron has returned to power after eighteen years of exile. In the little town of Colonia Vela, an administrator named Fuentes, and a group of zanies, take over town hall touching off a civil war. Taking broad satirical swipes at both the Peronist regime and peasant mentality, the siege of the town hall takes on the aspect of slapstick comedy. But then an old man is shot through the head, and screwball antics give way to escalating graphic violence. In the context of a dark political fable, this sudden turn makes sense-and effectively underscores the bleak realities underlying the fictional escapades. The question is whether American audiences are familiar enough with Argentine politics to weather the abrupt tone shift in the film. Recommended, with the above reservations.