Glaxo" Director Benjamín Naishtat Explores Argentina's Turbulent
· anime
Argentina’s Unhealed Wounds: “Glaxo” Asks the Question, but Will Anyone Listen?
Benjamín Naishtat’s latest film, “Glaxo”, is a sprawling epic that attempts to capture the essence of Argentina’s troubled history. Set against three timelines – 1956, 1957, and 1984 – the movie weaves together multiple storylines to examine the impunity of power and its lasting impact on the nation.
Naishtat has always been drawn to exploring the complexities of Argentine society, having previously directed “Rojo”, which offered a searing indictment of temporary moral decay becoming permanent moral apocalypse. With “Glaxo”, he returns to this theme, but with a broader historical sweep. By juxtaposing three distinct eras, Naishtat sheds light on Argentina’s repeated betrayals and the ongoing struggle for accountability.
At its core, “Glaxo” is a coming-of-age story that follows four teenage friends as they navigate adolescence amidst the tumultuous backdrop of Argentina’s past. However, this narrative thread serves only to underscore the film’s central concern: the exercise of unaccountable power and its devastating consequences.
Naishtat’s fascination with genre is evident in “Glaxo”, which effortlessly blends elements of thriller, melodrama, and coming-of-age story. This deliberate blurring of boundaries serves as a metaphor for Argentina’s own fragmented identity, where history and fiction are intertwined.
By drawing parallels between the past and present, Naishtat raises crucial questions about accountability and impunity. The historical events depicted in the prologue, which took place in 1956, remain unpunished to this day – a stark reminder of Argentina’s ongoing struggle with its dark past.
But “Glaxo” is more than just a historical drama; it’s also an exploration of adolescence and the transformative power of love. As Naishtat notes, the coming-of-age genre holds a special place in his heart because it allows him to tap into universal experiences that transcend time and geography.
Argentina’s struggles with accountability are far from over. The country’s history is marked by periods of brutal repression followed by promises of reform – only to be followed by more violence and trauma. “Glaxo” serves as a powerful reminder of this cycle, which shows no signs of abating.
Naishtat’s use of multiple genres and timelines creates a sense of disorientation, mirroring the experiences of those living in Argentina during these tumultuous periods. This deliberate fragmentation serves to underscore the idea that history is not a fixed entity, but rather a complex web of narratives that intersect and collide.
In an era where silence is increasingly valorized as a virtue, “Glaxo” stands out as a film that refuses to be silenced. By confronting the traumas of Argentina’s past head-on, Naishtat forces us to confront our own complicity in perpetuating these cycles of violence – and ultimately, to consider whether anyone will listen to the questions posed by his film.
Reader Views
- TIThe Ink Desk · editorial
While Naishtat's "Glaxo" is undeniably a cinematic tour de force, its very ambition raises questions about the limits of historical fiction as a tool for reckoning with national trauma. Can a single film really do justice to Argentina's convoluted history, or does it risk perpetuating the very myths and silences it seeks to expose? Moreover, what responsibility falls on filmmakers like Naishtat to intervene in this complex conversation about impunity, rather than simply chronicling it?
- MPMira P. · comics critic
While Naishtat's sweeping narrative does indeed shed light on Argentina's troubled history, I'm left wondering how much of this is truly new ground for audiences familiar with his previous work, such as "Rojo". It's a valid question considering the director's thematic preoccupations often overlap. What's more telling is whether Naishtat's latest venture will find traction with viewers outside Argentina, where its historical context and cultural allusions might be less immediately accessible. Will international audiences connect with this film's dense, layered storytelling?
- KAKenji A. · longtime fan
While Naishtat's ambition in tackling Argentina's complex history is admirable, I worry that "Glaxo"'s sprawling narrative may sacrifice cohesion for scope. The film's thematic threads are already well-trod territory in Argentine cinema, and I fear that the added weight of multiple timelines might dilute its impact. Will the film's deliberate genre-bending truly serve to underscore the nation's fragmented identity, or will it simply muddy the waters? A more nuanced exploration of Naishtat's vision is needed, rather than a blanket praise for his ambition alone.