How a courtroom drama became the definitive story of Argentina's return to democracy

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1985, a small team of inexperienced lawyers took on the military junta that had terrorized Argentina. The film Argentina, 1985 captures this historic trial, where prosecutor Julio César Strassera fought against death threats and institutional silence to secure justice, forever changing the nation's understanding of its own dark past.

The 2022 film Argentina, 1985, directed by Santiago Mitre, dramatizes the real-life Trial of the Juntas. Following the end of a brutal military dictatorship characterized by systematic torture and forced disappearances, the new democratic government tasked prosecutor Julio César Strassera with holding the former military leaders accountable. Because senior lawyers feared for their reputations and safety, Strassera was forced to assemble a team of young, inexperienced law graduates—the 'fiscalitos'—to build the case.

The production process was deeply rooted in historical research. Director Santiago Mitre and his team interviewed survivors, judges, and members of the original prosecution to ensure emotional authenticity. Filming took place at the original Tribunales courtroom in Buenos Aires, which remained largely unchanged since 1985. To maintain a sense of immediacy and avoid nostalgic tropes, the filmmakers utilized U-matic cameras for trial recreations and large-format lenses to focus intensely on the witnesses, rather than the surrounding environment.

The film became a significant cultural phenomenon in Argentina, selling over 1.15 million tickets and becoming the most-watched local film of 2022. Its impact extended beyond the box office; the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts organized special screenings for students to educate them on the dictatorship, treating the trial as a foundational event for modern Argentine democracy. The film's climactic closing statement, which famously concludes with the phrase 'Never again!', resonated globally, earning it a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

The release was not without controversy. Due to a short three-week window of theatrical exclusivity before the film moved to Prime Video, major international cinema chains refused to screen it. Ironically, this exclusion only bolstered the film's status, as audiences flocked to independent theaters to see it. By blending historical rigor with a contemporary cinematic style, the film successfully bridged the gap between the traumatic events of the 1980s and the consciousness of a new generation.

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