Teen’s growth through conflict the focus of nominated Argentine film ‘Adult’

By Alex Miao

"I'm trying to tell profound stories in a simple way with an Argentine voice," Mariano González, director of the film drama “Adult,” told a press conference at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival.

González said he chose a simpler approach to guide the storyline about a young boy’s experiences to suit the strong narrative conflict in the film, a Golden Goblet Awards nominee in the festival’s main competition.

He said he decided to use simple statements to discuss deeper issues in the portrayal of teenager Antonio, played by Alfonso González Lesca, who copes with life’s difficulties with a composure that is beyond his years.

Juan Minujín, who plays the boy's father, Raúl, shared an anecdote from the movie shoot.

"We filmed at director Mariano González's house,” Minujín said. “A lot of the props and clothes we used were from the director's real life, and his son was in the movie the whole time."

González explained that he wanted to create an unusual feel for the crew, "to shoot it in a way that it would incorporate the most authentic father-son relationship possible."

Like a documentary, the movie records every challenge faced by the teenager, and speaks of the true meaning of growth in the director's mind, including the courage to face truths head on.

The story has its ups and downs, with multiple turning points, and centers around Antonio throughout, delicately depicting the relationship between father and son and the boy’s growth after a series of events.

"It has one of the best scripts ever written by a director," said producer Evanelina Rojas. "We didn't have national funding, but we made it work. We brought Argentine-style film to the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, to the international level."

Camila Peralta, who plays Antonio's neighbor in the film, was excited about Argentine cinema's rush to the international stage.

"I'm very happy to have the premiere in Shanghai, and very excited to show an Argentine movie for the first time in such a distant country," Peralta said. “I’m very proud to bring it to a wider audience."