White Elephant
Director: Pablo Trapero
Writers: Alejandro Fadel, Martín Mauregui, Santiago Mitre, Pablo Trapero
Cast: Ricardo Darín,
Jérémie Renier, Martina Gusmán
Duration: 1h 45min
Language: Spanish
Country: Argentina / Spain / France
Cert: 15
Year: 2012
From one of Argentina's most exciting and original directors Pablo Trapero (Carancho, Lion’s Den) and starring Ricardo Darín (The Secret in Their Eyes, Carancho), Jérémie Renier (In Bruges, Potiche) and Martina Gusman (Lion’s Den, Carancho) WHITE ELEPHANT is a compelling and highly charged film about courage and human triumph.
What should have been South America’s largest hospital sits half-finished in the shanty towns of Buenos Aires, home to thousands. Amidst rising tensions between residents, striking labourers and warring drug cartels, two Catholic priests strive to defend the rights of the forgotten poor while confronting brutal gangs and a church hierarchy sceptical of their unconventional methods.
Inspired by the true story of Argentinian priest and activist Father Carlos Mugica, WHITE ELEPHANT traces the moral tightrope these men must walk in their bid to stand up for the victims of a corrupt system. Tense, superbly constructed and ultimately uplifting, WHITE ELEPHANT is a transfixing story of will, violence and survival.
Featuring an epic score by multi-award winning composer Michael Nyman.