THE LONG NIGHT OF FRANCISCO SANCTIS

Set in the time of military dictatorship in late 1970s Buenos Aires, THE LONG NIGHT OF FRANCISCO SANCTIS tells the unbelievable tale of the aloof title character, who’s plucked from his mundane life into a dangerous world of political espionage. When Francisco first appears, the idea of being involved in anything of the sort seems preposterous. He’s a goofy, middle-aged family man, working hard for a job promotion that never comes. In fact, the work situation has turned him into a bit of a joke. This changes when he gets a call from an old college flame, who uses false pretenses to lure him into meeting her. His ex—known for her crazy conspiracy theory rants in college—needs Francisco’s help in alerting a couple who are supposedly about to be murdered by the government. Regardless of her nutty reputation, he eventually accepts the mission. His hesitation quickly turns to obsession, as the adrenaline brings excitement to his otherwise dull existence. Whether the mission is legit or not is a mystery, but this quirky, high-paced action-adventure proves that life is about the journey, not necessarily the destination. (In Spanish with subtitles) —E.F.