Fernando Solanas

Fernando Solanas. Fernando "Pino" Solanas was a seminal Argentine film director, screenwriter, and politician whose work became a cornerstone of Latin American cinema. A key figure in the Third Cinema movement, his politically charged films, most notably the landmark documentary La Hora de los Hornos, critiqued neocolonialism and social injustice. His career spanned over five decades, intertwining cinematic innovation with direct political engagement, including service as a National Deputy and Senator for the City of Buenos Aires.

Early life and education

He was born in the Buenos Aires Province suburb of Olivos. From a young age, he was immersed in the arts, studying music, drama, and painting. He initially pursued legal studies at the University of Buenos Aires but soon abandoned them to dedicate himself fully to the cinematic arts. His formal training in film included studies at the Instituto de Cinematografía de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral and under renowned teachers in Buenos Aires, where he developed the technical and theoretical foundations for his future work.

Film career

His cinematic journey began with short films and advertising before his collaboration with Octavio Getino yielded his magnum opus, La Hora de los Hornos (1968). This epic, clandestinely screened documentary became a foundational text for the Third Cinema movement, offering a Marxist critique of Argentina under the military dictatorship. Following this, his "exile trilogy"—consisting of Los hijos de Fierro, El exilio de Gardel (Tangos), and Sur—explored themes of national identity, displacement, and memory. Later works like El viaje, La nube, and Memoria del saqueo continued his fierce examination of neoliberalism, corruption, and social crisis in Latin America.

Political activism and exile

His filmmaking was intrinsically linked to political action, leading to direct conflict with state authorities. The release of La Hora de los Hornos forced him into a clandestine existence, and he was later targeted by the Alianza Anticomunista Argentina. Following the 1976 Argentine coup d'état, he was forced into exile, living and working in Paris and Rome. During this period, he remained an active voice against the military junta and became a prominent figure in international leftist intellectual circles. He returned to Argentina following the restoration of democracy with the 1983 Argentine general election.

Later career and legacy

Upon his return, he continued his dual path of cinema and politics. He founded the production company Cinesur and the political party Proyecto Sur. He served as a National Deputy from 1993 to 1997 and later as a Senator from 2013 to 2019, representing the City of Buenos Aires. His later documentary series, including Memoria del saqueo and La guerra del fracking, sustained his activist critique. His contributions were recognized with awards such as the Best Director prize at Cannes for El exilio de Gardel (Tangos) and an Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. He passed away in Paris in 2020 from complications related to COVID-19.

Personal life

He was married twice, first to Ángela Correa and later to French actress Catherine Rétoré. He was the father of four children, including filmmakers Juan Solanas and Violeta Solanas. A lifelong advocate for cultural and environmental causes, he also served as Argentina's UNESCO representative in Paris. His personal and artistic life remained firmly rooted in his commitment to social justice and the political potential of film.

Category:Argentine film directors Category:Argentine politicians Category:Argentine screenwriters