"Argentinian Mental Health Laws Reformed Following Inspiration from Film Shown at San Sebastián Opening Night, '27 Nights'"
In the heart of September, the 73rd San Sebastian Film Festival will kick off with a unique and captivating production - the Netflix original "27 Nights" ("27 noches"). This fact-based dramedy, directed, co-written, and co-produced by Santiago Mitre, promises a delicate, quietly joyful, and emotionally detailed story.
The film follows Martha Hoffman, an eccentric and fabulously wealthy matriarch, who finds herself committed to a psychiatric clinic by her two daughters. As the narrative unfolds, Dr. Casares, played by Daniel Hendler, is called in as an expert witness to determine whether this commitment is a calculated attempt to seize control of their mother's fortune or if Martha is genuinely suffering from dementia.
Santiago Mitre, known for his work on the Oscar-nominated "Argentina, 1985" and the San Sebastian Film Festival favourites "Paulina" and "Blondi," expresses his gratitude for the festival's selection of "27 Nights." His relationship with the San Sebastian Film Festival goes back years, and he is deeply grateful to festival director José Luis Rebordinos and the programming team for this recognition.
The production company behind "27 Nights" is La Unión de los Ríos, a joint venture between Mitre and his partner Agustina Llambi-Campbell. This marks the first production of their shingle with Netflix. Despite predictions that few, if any Argentine films would be produced due to the country's new right-wing administration, "27 Nights" came into being, showcasing the resilience of the Argentine film industry.
Filming for "27 Nights" took place in January and February of this year, and the script was developed by a team of writers, including Martín Mauregui, Agustina Liendo, and Daniel Hendler himself. The film is based on the novel by Natalia Zito and is inspired by a true story.
As inflation stabilizes, other economic indicators in Argentina are deteriorating, making filming in the country extremely costly, according to Llambi-Campbell. Nevertheless, the team persevered, and "27 Nights" is set to stream worldwide on Netflix by October 17.
Mitre connects the film to the current political situation in Argentina, stating that telling the story of a woman trying to be happy is a political act. By bringing this story to the international stage, "27 Nights" promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging addition to the San Sebastian Film Festival.
