Argentina 1985 - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Typewriter
The typewriter symbolizes the methodical, relentless, and perhaps old-fashioned pursuit of justice. It represents the painstaking work of documenting testimonies and building a case brick by brick, contrasting with the brute force of the military dictatorship.
Julio Strassera is frequently shown at his typewriter, especially during moments of contemplation and when drafting his powerful closing argument. The film ends with the sound of his typewriter, indicating that the fight for justice is ongoing, as he prepares to appeal some of the sentences.
Family Meals
The recurring scenes of the Strassera family having meals together symbolize the private life and normalcy that are threatened by the public battle Strassera is waging. They represent what is at stake – the ability to live a normal, safe life in a functioning society.
Throughout the film, crucial conversations and moments of both tension and support occur around the dinner table in the Strassera household. These scenes ground the high-stakes legal drama in the everyday reality of a family trying to navigate a perilous time, providing much of the film's humor and humanity.
The Young Legal Team
The group of young, inexperienced law students and graduates who form the prosecution's investigative team symbolizes the future of Argentina. Their idealism and dedication represent a new generation committed to democratic values and breaking with the country's violent past.
When established lawyers refuse to join the prosecution out of fear or sympathy for the old regime, Strassera and Ocampo assemble a team of young people. Their tireless work traveling the country to gather testimonies is a central part of the film's narrative, showing their crucial role in the historic victory.
Philosophical Questions
What is the role of justice in national healing after a period of extreme trauma?
The film explores whether legal accountability is a sufficient condition for a society to heal. It presents the trial as a necessary act of public catharsis and a foundational moment for the new democracy. The harrowing testimonies suggest that justice involves not only punishing the guilty but also providing a platform for victims to have their truth officially acknowledged. The film argues that without this reckoning, represented by the trial, a nation cannot truly move forward or build a stable future.
Can ordinary individuals truly shape the course of history?
"Argentina, 1985" directly confronts this question through its protagonist. Strassera's initial belief that "history is not made by guys like me" is systematically dismantled by the narrative. The film proposes that historical change is often the result of ordinary people choosing to act with courage and conviction in extraordinary circumstances. It celebrates the collective effort of the prosecution team, suggesting that heroism is not the domain of a select few but a potential within many.
How can a society ensure that past atrocities are 'never again' repeated?
The film's famous closing line, "Nunca Más," is both a plea and a challenge. The film suggests that the primary defense against the recurrence of such events is collective memory and the robust defense of democratic institutions. It argues that justice must be active, not passive, and that the story of the past must be continually told and retold to new generations to serve as a warning and an inspiration.
Core Meaning
The core message of "Argentina, 1985" is the profound importance of justice and memory in the construction of a true democracy. Director Santiago Mitre wanted to explore how a society can heal from immense trauma, not through forgetting, but by confronting its darkest chapters. The film posits that even ordinary people, when faced with extraordinary circumstances, can become agents of historical change. It serves as a powerful testament to the idea that no one is above the law and that the fight for human rights is a continuous and vital struggle. The final plea of "Nunca Más" (Never Again) encapsulates the film's central idea: that the memory of past atrocities must be preserved to prevent their recurrence.