Sur Awards: in dark times, terror won

Speeches of all kinds, but All agreeing to deplore the current management of the Incaaseveral moderately emotional tributes and a bigger surprise at the awards, characterized the Argentine Film Academy’s Sur Awards Galawhich took place last night at the Politeama.

First, to the awards for the best of the 2023 season. When everything seemed to indicate that the big winner would be “Blondi”of Dolores Fonziwhich was in the lead with its 13 candidates, surprisingly the rural and gloomy “When evil lurks”of Demian Rugnarobbed him of his glory.

Anything else: For the first time, the Academy consecrates a horror filmOf course, she’s not just any old film. She’s the first Latin American film to win the prestigious Sitges Horror and Fantasy Film Festival, and also the first Argentine horror film to reach and surpass two million dollars in worldwide earnings (546,000 of which were collected between the US and Canada). There must be a reason for that.

“When evil lurks” won three awards in total: Best Film, Director, for Demian Rugnawho thanked the support provided by the Incaa of other times, and Vestuario, Pheonia Veloz. In compensation, “Blondi” had four: Best First Film, Dolores Fonzi Best Actress, Rita Cortese Best Supporting Actress and Toto Rovito Male Revelation.

Three, the comedy “Puan”: Leading Actor Marcelo SubiottoCast Leo Sbaragliawho dedicated his award to public education teachers, and Santiago Dolan Best Music. Same “The Abduction”of Daniela Goggi: Best Adaptation, Sound, Art. And “Los engaños” by Rodrigo Moreno, for Best Original Screenplay, Female Revelation (the valuable Mariana Chaud) and Photography. For its part “Elena knows”with Mercedes Moranreached only one, for makeup.

Separate paragraph, “The trial”of Ulysses of the Orderwhich was nominated for two and justly received them: Best Documentary and Best Editing (Alberto Ponce). That, as for the awards for the best of the 2023 season, which also included the award for Best Fiction Series for “División Palermo”.

The day also included moderately emotional tributes for the 50th anniversary of “The Truce” (Ana María Picchio recalled that it was done without any credit from the Institute), the 40 of “Camila” and the 10 of “Wild Tales”and honorary awards for Ricardo Darin and the directors Carmen Guarini and Adolfo Aristarainwho did not go to receive it. From the announced tribute to Charlie Garciathe best was the “Seminar” by Elena Roger and Rosario Ortega singing a duet.

In his acceptance speech, Ricardo Darin He took a stand on the risks of cinema and culture in general in these times. He did so in a clear and well-measured manner. “Wise words”the producer observed Matias Mosteirin. Several artists and directors spoke after him throughout the night, in defense of cinema, culture, work, the image of the country through cinema, and against the policy of downsizing and abandonment that the current INCAA authorities have been developing.

Some did so with restraint, even slipping in words like dialogue, peace, love and empathy. Others showed obvious impatience, pointed heels and phrases like “current dictatorship”. What is clear is that everyone is offended, and with good reason.

Of course, no one from Incaa attended the meeting.. Instead, Gabriela Ricardesthe City’s Minister of Culture, was present, presented an award and even received applause, evidence of the good functioning of the City’s Patronage system, which is still in place.

And so the night continued, until one of the producers of “When Evil Lurks,” Samuel Zimmermanclosed the day, and the broadcast on TNT and Max, with a precise summary, on behalf of artists, technicians, authors and promoters of national cinema: “We must respect the investiture. Our investiture. Because we are very valuable”. And that was the end of it.