Amazon.com reviews for
La historia oficial (1985) More at IMDbPro »

The Official Story (dvd):

Amazon.com video review: This is one of those rare political films that transcend politics with a stirring emotional story. Argentinean first-time director Luis Puenzo tells the story of a strong-willed teacher who tries to learn the true identity of her adopted daughter's father, coming to suspect that he was a political prisoner. Her political awakening is actually an emotional one as well because of her detached persona. Ironically, even though she is a teacher, she doesn't connect with people very well, thinking of history in the most abstract terms. But she learns the painful truth of present-day life. Tautly directed by Puenzo, The Official Story was a 1985 Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Film, with a riveting performance by Norma Aleandro. --Bill Desowitz

The Official Story (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: Luis Puenzo's shattering 1985 story about the collision of middle-class aspirations and government lies in Argentina packs a wallop a viewer never forgets. A happy couple (Norma Aleandro and Hector Alterio) enamored of their careers (she's a teacher proffering pro-government revisionist history, he's a successful entrepreneur) are made all the more joyous by the fulfilling presence of an adopted baby in their lives. In time, however, Aleandro's character begins to suspect that the child was taken from a woman who is among Argentina's "disappeared," i.e., a likely victim of violent political repression. With that genie out of the bottle, everything about the couple's life together begins to look doctored and glossed-over to her, including the marriage itself. Puenzo (Old Gringo) leads the mounting suspicion and conflict between husband and wife toward an astonishing eruption of suppressed feelings, a release of buried truths that is more than the story of one wobbly marital union. It is an allegory for a nation fearing its recent past. A powerful experience. --Tom Keogh