The Girlfriend

The events unfold during Argentina's last civil-military dictatorship (1976–1983), a period of heavy censorship, surveillance, and political repression. Disappearances and fear shape daily life, even for ordinary, aspiring artists and families. The film depicts how the regime’s climate forces people to balance personal safety with moral duty. The search for Carlos occurs against this backdrop of state power and social resistance.

Set in a quiet, working-class suburb south of Buenos Aires, the film grounds its story in ordinary life under a turbulent era. The neighborhood is depicted as close-knit, with families navigating fear and grief amid disappearing relatives. This intimate setting highlights community bonds, including mothers who band together in the face of repression. The suburb acts as a microcosm of Argentina during the dictatorship, where private lives are haunted by public silences.

🕯️ Grief and Loss

The disappearance of Carlos becomes a defining wound for María and her family. Grief is not only personal but social, drawing in friends and neighbors who share the ache. The narrative follows María’s unwavering drive to uncover the truth, even as hope wanes. In parallel, other characters grapple with the limits of what can be learned or proven under a repressive regime.

🤝 Friendship & Solidarity

María’s lifelong friendship with Raquel provides a counterbalance to loss, offering support and shared memory. Their bond navigates cultural and identity tensions, revealing resilience through art, conversation, and mutual aid. The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo emerge as a broader symbol of collective courage and persistent advocacy. The duo’s collaboration shows how solidarity can sustain individuals when political forces threaten their families.

🛑 Oppression & Dictatorship

The dictatorship’s repressive climate frames every character’s choices, from Raquel’s artistic career to Diego’s careful public role. Anti-Semitic undercurrents and censorship complicate personal and professional lives. The film portrays how institutions mold behavior, suppress dissent, and weaponize fear to control society. Yet it also showcases quieter acts of defiance and moral choice amid surveillance and coercion.

🧭 Exile & Identity

Raquel’s exile to Berlin underscores how identity and political danger intersect, forcing her to navigate belonging and exile. The Berlin encounter offers a distant glimpse of Carlos’s fate and the trauma of displacement. Upon return, the complexities of identity and memory resurface, shaping how each character relates to Argentina and to one another. The interplay of home and abroad highlights the cost of political turmoil on personal lives.