Irish Film Institute -LA ANTENA

LA ANTENA

Director: ESTEBAN SAPIR

ARGENTINA • 2007 • SUBTITLED • BLACK AND WHITE • DIGITAL VIDEO • 90 MIN


A RARE AND GLORIOUS TREAT, ARGENTINE DIRECTOR ESTEBAN SAPIR’S EXTRAORDINARY FILM DRAWS ON THE WORK OF THE AUTEURS OF SILENT CINEMA, FROM GEORGES MELIÈS AND FRITZ LANG TO THE RECENT WORK OF GUY MADDIN, TO CREATE SOMETHING TRULY NEW AND ORIGINAL.
Shot in pristine monochrome, the film is set in an undetermined time and place—a wintry city where citizens live under the complete control of Mr. TV. Although he has stolen their voices, the inhabitants of the city are able to physically materialise words in order to communicate. To consolidate his control, Mr. TV now plans to steal these very words using a machine that will be powered by The Voice, a faceless singer who alone has been allowed to retain the power of speech. Only a neighbouring family can foil his plan, aided by The Voice’s eyeless son, whose ability to speak has been kept a secret from Mr. TV.
Although the film is framed essentially as a fairy-tale, it’s difficult to miss the pointed allegories and symbolism relating to totalitarianism, the role of the media and the pernicious influence of corporations, amongst other points Sapir wishes to make. However, the film can be equally enjoyed as an exhilarating exercise in the expressive possibilities of the medium, with constant playful and imaginative flourishes scattered throughout the piece. The powerful and inventive visual aesthetic on display is genuinely refreshing to observe, especially as accompanied by a warm and witty score. One of the most lovingly crafted films of the year, ‘La Antena’ is also one of the most beautiful and unique. Fans of Guy Maddin’s ‘My Winnipeg’ should also check out this gem.—Kevin Coyne.

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