El Clan

Plot synopsis:
The story is based on the case of the Puccio family from Buenos Aires, that kidnapped four people -three of whom they murdered- in the 1980s.
The Puccios appear to be a typical middle-class family from the affluent district of San Isidro, with aspirations of moving up into upper class. The family comprises Arquímedes Puccio, the family patriarch; Epifanía Puccio, his wife; Alejandro, their eldest son and a star rugby player; Daniel "Maguila", their middle child, who'd left the country years ago and hadn't kept in touch; Silvia, their eldest daughter, a school teacher; Guillermo, their youngest son, who is still in high school; and Adriana, their youngest daughter, who is in middle school.
At the end of the Falklands War in 1982, Arquímedes, who had been working for the state's intelligence services in operations to capture communist guerrilla fighters, becomes the owner of a small shop, a deli. In order to maintain his financial status, he decides to turn to crime and start kidnapping people for ransom, targeting wealthy families. Alejandro starts to collaborate with his father, by identifying potential hostages, taking advantage of his popularity among friends and acquaintances to not raise suspicion.
The first victim is Ricardo Manoukian, a friend and teammate of Alejandro's. Though the kidnapping is successful, Arquímedes kills Ricardo anyway, to avoid any chances of being identified as the kidnapper. After discovering Ricardo has been killed, Alejandro has a bout of conscience, but his father convinces him to keep the secret by assuring him that if Ricardo had been left alive, he would have identified them as the culprits and gotten them all arrested.
The ransom improves the Puccios' economic situation and, by early 1983, they replace their family deli with a successful store selling sporting equipment. Alejandro meets a girl called Monica at the store, and, after a few dates, she becomes his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Gustavo Contenpomi, a friend of Arquímedes' who is furious after being deceived in a business deal with entrepreneur Florencio Aulet, contacts the Puccios and suggests they make Florencio their next victim. Instead, Arquímedes and his cronies kidnap Florencio's son, Eduardo; since he is one of Alejandro's friends, and thus he's easier to lure into a trap. The Aulets pay the ransom, but Eduardo has already been murdered, and his body buried in a shallow grave, on an empty construction lot.
In December 1983, after the return to democracy in Argentina, Arquímedes goes to visit imprisoned military officer Aníbal Gordon - who had participated with Puccio in the kidnapping of a businessman in 1973 - and asks for advice on how to continue with the Clan's activities in the new political landscape. Gordon advises him to lie low, since the military will have more difficulty protecting him now that they've lost control of the country, but Arquímedes does not heed the warning.
Alejandro accompanies his youngest brother, Guillermo, to the airport, since Guillermo is going abroad on a sports trip. At the gate, Guillermo confesses that he knows what Alejandro and their father had been up to, and says he will not be returning after the tour is over, since he is afraid of what will happen if the family's crimes are discovered. Before leaving, Guillermo begs his brother to get out while he still can. Listening to his brother's plea, Alejandro decides not to join his father in the next kidnapping: that of another businessman acquainted with the family, Emilio Naum. Due to Alejandro's absence, the plot fails, and Naum is murdered after refusing to stop his car when Arquímedes and his goons begin the abduction. Angered, Arquímedes returns home and beats Alejandro, blaming him for the failed kidnapping and accusing him of being ungrateful for all that Arquímedes sacrificed to get him a cushy lifestyle.
To reconcile with his father, Alejandro travels abroad to convince his other brother, Maguila, to return to Argentina and join the Clan in their operations. Now, in 1985, the group kidnaps businesswoman Nélida Bollini Prado and keep her prisoner in their home's basement. However, things do not go according to plan: the ransom negotiations fail; Adriana hears the woman's screams coming from the basement and realizes what had been going on; and Arquímedes gets a call from his former military superiors warning him that his stunts have garnered too much public attention, so he no longer has their protection.
In August 1985, when Arquímedes and Maguila collect the ransom in a service station, they are arrested by the police, who then break into the Puccio house, free the kidnapped victim, and arrest the family, with the exception of Adriana. The case causes a frenzy among the media, who dub the family the "Puccio Clan".
The prosecuting attorney shows Arquímedes the overwhelming evidence against him and tries to broker a deal: if Arquímedes confesses to being the mastermind behind the kidnappings, his family will not be indicted as accomplices. Arquímedes, however, insists that he'd been compelled to carry out the crimes by his military superiors and refuses to sacrifice himself for his family.
While his rugby team and Monica believe in his innocence, Alejandro can not withstand the pressure. After violently arguing with his father in their jail cell (during which Arquímedes goads Alejandro to punch him, so Arquímedes can falsely claim the guards beat him), Alejandro tries to commit suicide by throwing himself off the fifth floor of the Tribunal building while he's being taken to testify.
The film ends with a text detailing the family's fate:
Alejandro survived his fall and was sentenced to life in prison. While serving his sentence, he tried to commit suicide four more times. Monica kept visiting him for years, until he asked her to stop doing so and instead move on with her life. Alejandro died [of pneumonia, aged 49] in 2008, a few months after being released on probation.
Maguila never served his sentence, since he fled the country - presumably to Australia, Brazil, or New Zealand - before he could be tried. In 2013, he returned to Argentina after the charges were dropped due to the statute of limitations.
Guillermo was never indicted for his family's crimes. He never returned to the country nor contacted his family, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Epifanía and Silvia were freed from prison for lack of evidence. [Silvia succumbed to cancer in 2011.]
Adriana was also never indicted and, after the trial began, her surname was changed, and she moved in with her maternal uncles. After many years, she returned to live with her mother [in the very house where the kidnapping victims had been held].
Arquímedes was sentenced to life imprisonment but was eventually released on parole in 2008. His family never made contact with him after he regained his freedom. He died [from a stroke] in 2013, in La Pampa, and nobody claimed his body, so he was buried in an unmarked, communal grave.

Tags: violence, murder

Review:
Few years after the dictatorship in Argentina by Rafael Videla is overthrown, the remaining members of that military order begin a life of crime, using as an excuse that the Argentinians sold the country and pushed the patriots into catastrophe.
At this time in history, is where the story of Arquímides Puccio (Guillermo Franchella) and his family take place.
Puccio is an old retired military who starts kidnapping rich youngsters not just for the money, but to satisfy an evil mind that wants suffering.
This brilliant movie is not a conventional crime thriller, it also explores the psychological illness of all the members in this family caused by the oppressing voice of Puccio's patriarchy.
The narrative of the story begins by the end, and so it goes interchanging present and future, until they collide in a sublime climax when all the feelings and thoughts of the children explode.
Another remarkable aspect of this movie is the BSO, featuring an accurate selection between The Kinks, Credence Clearwater Revival, and Argentinian rock of the 80's like Seru Giran and Virus.
Wow, i just got back from watching this one at the cinema, here in Argentina and i will say that the hype matches the movie!
The movie portrays a dark time in Argentinian history.
Looking to continue their business, they were offered protection from parts of the military, and "El Clan" depicts the story of the Puccio Clan.
A family who kidnapped and killed many people in the 80s.
Pablo Trapero is a household name amongst Argentinian cinema, so it wasn't a surprise that he chose such a disturbing story, as his other films have taken on similar dark tones.
From the very haunting imagery, to the authentic 80s soundtrack, to the phenomenal acting from Argentine comedian Guillermo Francella, all of these elements combine with the very disturbed story, to make a movie that catapults Argentine cinema to the front runner in the Latino area!
Shocking violence along with the disturbing elements of human behaviour elevates this movie beyond an easy viewing experience, but if you are prepared to delve into a very dark, yet intriguing story, then you will come away from "El Clan" very satisfied!.
I liked the movie and the acting of all the characters, in particular from Guillermo Francella who already proved very well that he's not only excellent for humor but also an excellent drama actor.The movie has a superb 80's atmosphere in every detail, from cars, clothes, phones, music (the music in this film is awesome!).Regarding the story -which was true- the movie helped me understand much better the events and to correlate how Puccio got to that situation.I really recommend this movie and I hope you have the opportunity to see it..
Most of the time the reverse is also true: the majority of parents want to be good role models for their kids.
Such is the case with the real life story of the Puccio family in Argentina.Acclaimed Argentinean director Pablo Trapero (Carancho, 2010) gives us a look at the Puccio crime family, and in the process draws parallels between the political turmoil and re-structuring of Argentina as it returned to a democracy in the early 1980's.The façade of the happy family makes for perfect public cover as horrendous crimes are perpetuated  often in the basement of the family home.
Arquimedes (Guillermo Francella, The Secret in Their Eyes 2009) is the father who often seizes on the celebrity of his rugby star son Alex/Alejandro (Peter Lanzani) to catch their victims off-guard.
The family Modus Operandi is pretty simple: kidnap-collect ransom- kill.
Quite a contrast to the brutality involved in the crimes.The film raises many questions, and makes us wonder where the line of guilt is drawn between committing a crime, and simply looking the other way.
It's presented as if Alex felt compelled to support his father's endeavors even though it caused major internal struggles for him.
It's especially unsettling to see Arquimedes helping his daughter with her school work, while the most recent victim is shackled in the cellar.As Argentina's Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language film, it didn't make the final cut, but it's absolutely at the level of the five nominated films.
The most colorful epoch of criminality in Argentina during Galtieri's military dictatorship era is brought to life in this story of a robber and criminal family .
As this family kidnapped and killed people in the 80s in a period of economical crisis when any employment, even illegal, was cherished, ambition, money and power originated an interminable cycle of fury and violence.
It deal with the Puccio family led by the honorable daddy called Arquimedes : Guillermo Francella , he is going as far as to supervise the homework of his youngest daughter as a dedicated teacher .
As they along with some accomplices carry out undercover activities , consisting in abducting wealthy people , detaining them in his own home , mistreating and torturing them and doing away with them after cashing the ransom.This is true story of the Puccio Clan, a model evil family , but their tale results to be a perverse stew of lies , violence , kidnapping , murders, pronounced bloodshed, sentimental blood bonding , and with a surprising ending .
As well as Peter Lanzani playing Alejandro Puccio , an admired rugby star .The motion picture well well produced by EL Deseo S.A.
Trapero is a good filmmaker , his best film was ¨Carancho¨, dealing with a slow burning exercise in moral decay and his usual actress results to be Martina Gosman who has worked in various film with him , such as : ¨Lion's den¨ , ¨Nacido y Criado¨ , ¨Carancho¨ and ¨Elefante Blanco¨ .
This El Clan turns out to be a dramatic and provoking flick , an above average film and Argentina's official submission to Academy Award and it achieved several Prizes of the Argentinean Academy.
With this his latest film, The Clan, he won the Silver Lion for Best Director in Venice International Film Festival .
Good Film, Poor Subtitling..
I was clearly watching a very well made film, based on real events, about a Mafiosa-style family engaged in kidnapping and extortion; this was at a time, the 1980s, when the government was up to similar tactics - many dissidents simply disappeared.
Everything about the film - its story, pacing, acting, direction was top notch.
Gripping story, average film..
I was so excited when I heard this movie was released in Argentina that the anticipation to watch it felt like watching the final of the World Cup. And, as it also so often happens with World Cup finals, the movie was disappointing.
I am not sure where and why it failed to capture my attention, but I just know that even though the story has potential, the movie is directed in a way that feels rather boring.
I know that El Clan has become the most successful movie in Argentinian history, but it is a title it does not deserve.
The movie is very average and possibly only matters because it is based on true events that caused a stir not that many years ago.
True Argentinian Crime Story.
-The Clan (Spanish: El Clan) is a 2015 Argentine crime film directed by Pablo Trapero.
It was selected to be screened in the main competition section of the 72nd Venice International Film Festival where director Pablo Trapero won the Silver Lion.
It had the largest opening weekend of any Argentinean film in history, with a box office total of 32 million pesos and 505,000 tickets sold between opening Thursday and Sunday, representing 53% of all cinema-goers, seven times more than the second most viewed film, Ted 2.
(suggesting) how kidnapping became simply a part of life for the Puccios.
It's never clearer than in a daring montage sequence that matches Monica's cries of ecstasy during a bout of lovemaking with the cries for help of a kidnapping victim in the family's home.
For these folks, there seems to be a mighty fine line between love and cruelty".-The success of the film led to a TV series that is also focused on the Puccio family, Historia de un clan, starring Alejandro Awada..
Before I go on, my wife and I have totally different views and tastes when it comes to the art of film but this time we both came out of "El Clan" pretty satisfied.
This film started off pretty slow but did get a little more riveting as it went on.
It was pretty much straight forward but got more interesting as the film went on.
The story is simple; The Puccio Family, who is a model family on the outside, is a family that is in the business of kidnapping rich people for money and then killing them.
Arquimedes Puccio (Guillermo Francella) is a respectable store owner who has an adoring wife and five respectable kids but all of this is a front for what they really do, simple but good.
The acting in this film was great, especially from Guillermo Francella who played the part of Arquimedes Puccio, the totalitarian leader of "El Clan".
The film hits from the real and moves the focus on one of the children who suffer most acts of his father, who embodies a sober Franchella that has long been demonstrating his talent for drama also.
Compared to other good films of Argentine cinema may have lacked artistic details that make it more blockbuster, but certainly is a creation that will be a very good story in a story that is surprising..
It's right to say based on the real than a biopic, because it is not the film about the family who we inspire from their act.
Focused on to tell a story of a middle class family called Puccios.
Kidnapping people for ransom money, but in the end, there's no smooth trade off.
This film can be watched to know the truth and nothing else, because of the negative message it carries.
The actors did good, despite they were in the negative roles.There are plenty of films with the dark tone, which are very enjoyable despite the film characters involved in the wrongful acts.
But there comes a time when I hesitate to encourage such films, mainly because of its serious portrayal.
Makes me to think only sick people would enjoy such films.
But if it was told how the cops or the victim families coped would have made totally a different film.
The stories of special families in specific historical periods range from cognitive divergence to final split.
The stories of special families in specific historical periods range from cognitive divergence to final split.
Since it is based on a true story, I expected more interesting scenes and actions.
The true story of the Puccio family of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
During the height of the Galtieri regime of the early-to-mid 1980s the Puccio family, lead by senior government official Arquimedes Puccio, kidnapped and held for ransom several individuals.
I belive it couldve been better since that the story is really good so i would recommend to read about it and watch some videos rather than watching the movie..
I felt the fact you don't see how those whom are being held hostage are living, you actually don't see them at all besides when the Father is making them write their ransom note, makes the movie more of a drama less of a thriller.
I felt like those are key points of the story and the fact they don't also build on the hostage characters makes it less intense since your less emotionally involved...
The Puccio family was ahead of the pack, the patriarch was one Arquimedes Puccio played by the ever reliable Guillermo Francella ('The Secret in their eyes') and he led his whole family and a gang in kidnap torture and extortion.
However many hands do make light work and so Arquimedes went out of his way to ensure as many of the Clan as possible were 'hands on'.Now this is based on a real story and it is quite amazing that a modern country could allow such atrocities to take place – but that is the way of the World with criminals everywhere.
The film itself is Argentina's biggest earner ever and you can see why.
This is a film that you may get more from on a second viewing but either way it is most certainly worth seeing at least once..
Elements are just not glued well together, the movie feels like it doesn't know what it wants to be.
The Puccio case is memorable by itself, and Trapero makes it visually enjoyable with a main character that will hypnotize you with a cold-deep-blue-eyes.
But what makes El Clan less interesting than previous works from Trapero is how superficial characters are and the low tension observed overall (which was remarkably good in previous Trapero's works).
Which might be alright if you know the story before you watch the movie.First of all, I kept wondering why this professional and experienced kidnapper only kidnaps friends of his son.
However, the movie never really explains that, although it is somewhat crucial for the story.But there are still some things that don't make sense after reading about the actual story.
Arquímedes says to Alex something like "my kidnappings always worked until you left".
But then, why does he still have influence, I thought the regime has been overthrown.Without knowing the story (or at least enough about Argentinian history from that time) before watching the film, it basically shows a serial killer at his day job.
The truth is that the first thing I ask myself when I see this movie is, did they really do it this way, without covering up and not recognizing the voice?
I think it's an attempt to make a great movie of kidnappers, but for my taste stays the attempt.
None of its sections becomes good and the main, I do not believe the movie.
I do not think it's bad that's why I give it four, but it does not become good.Spoiler:I'm surprised that no one in the neighborhood recognized them or at least the director would have told us that people were asking him or at least telling us that they never released anyone, because when they kill the first, the film raises it as if it had been The first to be killed.
Not so the sequence plans of the rest, which I think are of no use and many are left over.The soundtrack bother me, when they are going to commit the kidnappings, the music is partying, I do not understand it, I do not know why it is not music of tension or intrigue, as if they were partying.I remembered a lot of The Godfather and that does not seem to me a great movie, but at least it has a photo and a brutal atmosphere and it is neither one nor the other.
I think Argentinians may enjoy this movie better than foreign audiences, judging from it's current score (7.0).
Maybe it's because they're already familiar with the historical setting, story and characters.
My guess is foreign audiences won't appreciate this movie so well -- I know I didn't.
I am flummoxed as to why people liked this film.
And I was particularly revolted by the juxtaposition of a sex scene interleaved with a violent kidnapping, overlaid with frantic music.The movie was confusing, too.
Only near the end do we discover, casually, that Puccio was connected to the Intelligence services, and his history with them is never fully explained.I felt relieved when the movie drew to a close and the perpetrators were caught.
The terrible case of the Puccio clan really rocked Argentina back in 1985.
For, not only had three people got kidnapped, savagely tortured and brutally killed (in two cases despite the fact that the ransom had been cashed), not only had another woman been held hostage for over a month and promised to a certain death (had her abductors not been arrested in time), but the perpetrators were...
Such were the questions the Argentinians asked themselves at the time and that filmmaker Pablo Trapero has decided to raise today, thirty years after the facts, in 'El Clan'.
The description of the "idyllic" family life within the walls of the Puccios' house rings as true as that of the detailed preparations and the brutal carrying out of the kidnappings.
Not so surprising if you take into account the following statement the director made in an interview: (I based myself on) "photographs, letters, interviews with friends of Alejandro's, or people who had visited the house and lived in the neighborhood".
Which does not mean that Trapero produced a mere lazy cut and paste of reality, for the second major quality of "El Clan" lies in his being a real movie, action-packed and filled with suspense and fraught moments, one would call a genre film if it was not underpinned by political thought (an examination of the fact that dictatorships breed monsters even after they are extinct).
Last strong point, the perfect cast, led by the superlative Guillermo Francella, a high class performer who although more accustomed to comedy, is absolutely terrifying as Puccio: the coldness in his eyes is pure evil and constantly proves wrong his alleged affability.
Also top notch is Peter Lanzani's performance: all good looks and natural charm outside, the young actor manages to bring to light his weakness and the moral conflict that haunts him for being unable to resist his father's influence).
before seeing this film, I only knew it was Argentinian.
I said to myself "I've seen too many movies.' what I actually meant was "Ive seen an awful lot of movies." anyway the patriarch of a Spanish family goes into the kidnapping business during the 1980's.
the movie certainly captures all I know of the time after the junta and the movie does work.