LOS SIETE LOCOS, an Argentine cinema classic, won the 1973 Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, and is arguably the best Argentine film of the decade. It has recently been launched in video (without English subtitles) in a very watchable format. The film does feature Norma Aleandro and Hector Alterio (paired in the 1985 Oscar winner THE OFFICIAL STORY, and still active in acting.) In LOS SIETE LOCOS, they are both in their thirties, and the perspective this film offers of the earlier phase of their careers is interesting, but by no means the main reason to watch this movie. Of course, their legendary names and the award winning pedigree of the movie drew me to it, but Aleandro and Alterio are really supporting actors in this film, and not the main characters, nor do they have scenes together. Their characters are interwoven into the lives of the SEVEN CRAZY PEOPLE as the title suggests. Their names, along with Alfredo Alcon's and Thelma Biral's (who have more screen time) just happen to be the first in alphabetical order. This is a wonderful marketing coincidence for the film as the two went on to become Argentina's most famous veteran film stars. As good as they always are to watch, Aleandro and Alterio are by no means the main reason to watch LOS SIETE LOCOS . This film is an excellent dramatization of Roberto Arlt's novel, a study of the complex socio-political climate of pre-World War II Argentina. After watching it, it is easy to see why the country has consequently suffered under Peronist and military dictatorships, terrorism, anarchy, economic instability, and even today are still on the way back to a stable democracy, and economy. A wonderful film when released (prior to Juan Peron's return in 1974), and even better today for the great perspective on Argentine history it now offers in hindsight.
