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The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) - Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Juan José Campanella

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Recently-retired criminal court investigator Benjamín Espósito (Ricardo Darín), decides to write a novel based on a 25-year-old unresolved rape and murder case, which still haunts him. Sharing his plans with Irene (Soledad Villamil), the beautiful judge and former colleague he has secretly been in love with for years, Benjamín's initial involvement with the case is shown through flashbacks, as he sets out to identify the murderer. But Benjamín's search for the truth will put him at the centre of a judicial nightmare, as the mystery of the heinous crime continues to unfold in the present, testing the limits of a man seeking justice and personal fulfilment at last.

Theatrical propaganda posters

The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) theatrical one sheet image

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film Argentina crime mystery thriller Spanish court rape investigation crime novel murder justice romance

Persons of interest

Ricardo Darín .... Benjamín Esposito
Soledad Villamil .... Irene Menéndez Hastings
Pablo Rago .... Ricardo Morales
Javier Godino .... Isidoro Gómez
Guillermo Francella .... Pablo Sandoval
José Luis Gioia .... Inspector Báez
Carla Quevedo .... Liliana Coloto
Rudy Romano .... Ordóñez
Mario Alarcón .... Juez Fortuna Lacalle
Alejandro Abelenda .... Pinche Mariano
Sebastián Blanco .... Pinche Tino
Mariano Argento .... Romano
Juan José Ortíz .... Agente Cardozo
Kiko Cerone .... Molinari
Fernando Pardo .... Sicora
Elvio Duvini .... Juan Robles
David Di Napoli .... Scribe Andretta
Sergio López Santana .... Jacinto Cáceres
Gabriela Daniell .... Alejandra Sandoval
Alicia Haydée Pennachi .... Gomez's mother
Liliana Cuomo .... Margarita
Eduardo Sacheri .... Author: La pregunta de sus ojos
Juan José Campanella .... Screenwriter
Eduardo Sacheri .... Screenwriter
Juan José Campanella .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) official movie sites:

The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) film production notes
The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS - Oscars) 2010: Won: Best Foreign Language Film of the Year (Argentina)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina 2009: Won: Best Actor (Ricardo Darín), Best Actress (Soledad Villamil), Best Art Direction (Marcelo Pont Vergés), Best Cinematography (Félix Monti), Best Director (Juan José Campanella), Best Editing (Juan José Campanella), Best Film (Juan José Campanella), Best Make-Up (Alex Mathews, Lucila Robirosa), Best Music (Federico Jusid), Best New Actor (José Luis Gioia), Best Screenplay Adaptation (Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella), Best Sound (José Luis Díaz), Best Supporting Actor (Guillermo Francella); Nominated: Best Costume Design (Cecilia Monti), Best New Actor (Javier Godino), Best Supporting Actor (Mario Alarcón, Pablo Rago)
Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Argentina 2010: Won: Best Actress (Soledad Villamil), Best Cinematography (Félix Monti), Best Screenplay Adapted (Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella), Best Supporting Actor (Guillermo Francella); Nominated: Best Actor (Ricardo Darín), Best Director (Juan José Campanella), Best Editing (Juan José Campanella), Best Film, Best Score (Federico Jusid)
Clarin Entertainment Awards 2009: Won: Best Actor - Film (Ricardo Darín), Best Actress - Film (Soledad Villamil), Best Cinematography (Félix Monti), Best Director - Film (Juan José Campanella), Best Film, Best New Actor - Film (José Luis Gioia), Best Original Music - Film (Federico Jusid), Best Screenplay - Film (Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella), Best Supporting Actor - Film (Guillermo Francella)
Goya Awards 2009: Won: Best New Actress (Soledad Villamil), Best Spanish Language Foreign Film (Juan José Campanella); Nominated: Best Actor (Ricardo Darín), Best Cinematography (Félix Monti), Best Director (Juan José Campanella), Best Film, Best Original Score (Federico Jusid), Best Production Design (Marcelo Pont Vergés), Best Screenplay - Adapted (Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella)
Havana Film Festival 2009: Won: Audience Award (Juan José Campanella), Best Actor (Ricardo Darín), Best Director (Juan José Campanella), Best Music (Federico Jusid), Special Jury Prize (Juan José Campanella)
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2009: Nominated: Golden Seashell (Juan José Campanella)
Sant Jordi Awards 2010: Won: Audience Award - Best Foreign Film (Juan José Campanella)
Spanish Actors Union 2010: Nominated: Film: Lead Performance Female (Soledad Villamil), Newcomer Award Male (Javier Godino)

NB: Spanish language dialogue with English language subtitles
Studios and distributors:

Rialto Entertainment

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Well, The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) is a long film, as can be expected from a South American moviemaker. To Western eyes, 2½ hours is too long, but the Hispanophiles will be in seventh heaven. I can also see a Hollywood remake on the horizon. Eduardo Sacheri and Juan José Campanella have created a tale of longing, pain, mystery and frustration. Even the cleverest of people can be idiots.

I'm having trouble analysing this film because the enjoyment comes as much from the journey as it does from the destination. Watching a horrific crime go unsolved is a horror. This is very much like The girl with the dragon tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor). You put up with what you're put through because you have to if you want to know what's going on. Watching Soledad Villamil and Ricardo Darín trying not to fall in love is a pure delight. Stupid, but a delight. When faced with love the answer is always 'Yes'. Still, a little struggle is good for the soul, or so They™ say. I reckon it's useful when you want to grow bigger muscles but with love it's just a pain. Unless you're a sadist, then watching people contend with an all-consuming passion is hilarious. Who said that being a bastard is a bad thing?

Still, it sucks to be them.

The crime, mystery, Argentina movie The secret in their eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) is directed by Juan José Campanella and stars Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago.