Contrakultura Films
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires , Argentina |
Key people | Soledad Liendo, Leonardo Hussen, Rodolfo Durán, Eduardo Montes-Bradley (founder) |
| Products | Biographical documentaries on Latin American literary figures, visual artists, and social scientists |
| Owner | Iruña Films, SA |
Number of employees | 3 |
Contrakultura Films functioned as a division of Iruña Films, SA, headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a specialization in creating biographical documentaries centered on Latin American literary figures. Its production facilities were situated in San Telmo. The producing team comprised Soledad Liendo, Leonardo Hussen, and Rodolfo Durán. Over time, the company broadened its focus to include visual artists such as Andrés Waissman and Humberto Calzada, alongside social scientists like León Rozitchner, Ismael Viñas, Juan Jose Sebreli, and Jorge Lovisolo. Between 2002 and 2006, Contrakultura completed approximately twenty-five documentaries, supported financially by INCAA, Fondo Nacional de las Artes, and the Ministerio de Cultura de la Nación. The ownership of its film collection is held by the Heritage Film Project, with distribution managed by Alexander Street Press.
The first installment of the “Contrakultural series,” entitled “Perfiles,” consisted of thirteen biographical documentaries. This collection was presented at the Biennial Northeast Regional Meeting titled "Luso-Hispanic Presence in the Changing Cultural Landscape of America," an event organized by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese at Yale University.
A number of the documentaries within the Perfiles series were helmed by founder Eduardo Montes-Bradley, who adopted pseudonyms inspired by silent-era Mexican actresses such as Cándida Beltrán and Lupe Velez. Initially, the series was promoted as being directed by thirteen women under Montes-Bradley’s leadership.
In addition, Contrakultura produced the NOA Trilogy, a project directed by Norbert “Negro” Ramírez that concentrated on Argentina’s Northwestern provinces of Jujuy and Salta.
Perfiles
Perfiles (Profiles) is a collection of thirteen documentaries focusing on Latin American authors, produced by Eduardo Montes-Bradley for Contrakultura in Buenos Aires. Montes-Bradley’s earlier biographical documentary work includes films on Jorge Luis Borges, Cortazar: Notes for a Documentary, Osvaldo Soriano, and Osvaldo Bayer. Each documentary runs approximately 80 minutes and was produced with an average budget of $65,000, financed 25% by Patagonia Film Group, LLC and 75% through Argentina's Ministry of Culture. Additional titles were incorporated subsequently.
- Una cierta mirada (A Certain Look), 2004. This film features dialogues with Juan José Sebreli about Buenos Aires’ architectural and sociopolitical development, covering urban transformations from Art Nouveau to Art Deco styles, alongside reflections on Peronism and LGBTQ+ life. The documentary is presented in black-and-white.
- Le mot Juste. Directed by Montes-Bradley, this documentary follows writer Héctor Tizón in Yala, Jujuy, exploring his navigation between Quechua traditions and Spanish colonial influences. It addresses themes of exile related to Tizón’s forced displacement during the Videla military dictatorship.
- La otra orilla (The Opposite Shore) profiles a psychotherapist and writer journeying from Avellaneda to Palermo. The film incorporates rare tango recordings from Gusmán's father and features interviews conducted by Yael Szmulewicz under Montes-Bradley’s supervision.
- Planeta Bizzio. A documentary about poet, playwright, and novelist Sergio Bizzio with an interview conducted by Nadina Fushimi.
- Deliciosas perversiones polimorfas. An intimate exploration of cult literary figure Alberto Laiseca, focusing on his metaphysical fiction and his relationship with his father in Córdoba. The film references literary figures such as Poe and Shakespeare while touching on apocalyptic themes.
- Si yo fuera realmente Libre offers a profile of writer Alan Pauls. The interview was conducted by Daniel Guebel.
- Ecce Homo. A biographical essay on cultural icon Juan Filloy, based on an interview shortly before his passing at age 106 in 2000.
- Las memorias del señor Alzheimer. Featuring Jorge "Dipi" Di Paola, a dadaist poet active in Buenos Aires' underground scene during the 1970s. The film recalls his mentorship under Witold Gombrowicz. Directed by Sergio Belloti.
- Marcos Ribak aka Andrés Rivera. This biographical film centers on author Andrés Rivera, primarily shot in Córdoba. It highlights Polish-Jewish immigration to Argentina and Communist Party youth activism during Peronism. Some scenes were filmed at the historic Eden Hotel.
- No matarás (Thou Shall Not Kill). A documentary focusing on Jewish-Argentine writer Marcelo Birmajer, noted for his politically isolated viewpoints. Produced following terrorist attacks on AMIA and the Israel Embassy in Buenos Aires; Birmajer attributes responsibility to Iran.
- El país de no me acuerdo (Neverland). A profile of actor-director , filmed two years before his death in 2006. The documentary critiques Peronism alongside Argentina's social deterioration.
- Saludablemente en pelotas. A profile of journalist and fiction author , recognized for collaborations with comic artists.
- La célula fugitiva (The Fugitive Cell). A biographical outline of journalist and scriptwriter José Pablo Feinmann, emphasizing his survival amid cancer during Isabel Perón's administration and the Triple A period.
- Desandando el tiempo. A portrait of poet (1914-2005). Produced by Montes-Bradley; direction by Rodolfo Durán.
- En el nombre del padre. A profile focusing on writer Ana María Shua.
- Espléndida decadencia. A biographical sketch centered on writer .
NOA Trilogy
This trilogy consists of three documentary films produced by Montes-Bradley, with backing from the Ministry of Culture of Salta and funding provided by the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts. The series was directed by Norberto "Negro" Ramírez, a filmmaker originally from Catamarca Province who grew up in Buenos Aires. During the 1976-1983 military dictatorship under Videla, Ramírez sought refuge in the northwestern Argentine region known as NOA (Noroeste Argentino), which includes provinces such as Jujuy and Salta.
- From Frankfurt to Humahuaca. This biographical documentary centers on philosopher Jorge Lovisolo, a disciple of the Frankfurt School residing in Salta. It delves into his voluntary exile, his reflections on religion and local traditions, as well as the impact of intellectuals like Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse, and Theodore Adorno. Produced by NOA Productions in 2005.
- Kopla Vera. A biographical film focusing on Jesús Ramón Vera, whose poetry draws inspiration from the liturgical carnival traditions of Jujuy. Created by NOA Productions around 2006.
- Yo y el tiempo. This concluding installment highlights poet and composer Juan José Botelli, a prominent cultural figure from Salta. Directed by Norberto Ramírez and produced by Montes-Bradley, it was completed by NOA Productions circa 2006.
Media
- Samba on your Feet
- El hombre invisible. This documentary investigates Argentine newsreel film editors who were active between the 1940s and 1960s.
- La oficina (The Office). Directed by Blas Eloy Martínez, son of author Tomás Eloy Martínez, this film portrays bureaucratic difficulties within a Vital Records office. Production was handled by Montes Bradley.
- Dirigido por ... . Through interviews and archival material, this documentary explores the creative methodologies of Argentine filmmakers. It includes discussions with prominent directors such as Adolfo Aristarain, Academy Award recipient Luis Puenzo, and Lucrecia Martel. Produced by Montes Bradley.
- Insurgentes. Examines connections during the 1970s among the (Revolutionary Left Movement), (ERP), and (Tupamaros), with particular focus on Plan Condor, a coordinated effort by Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil to combat guerrilla groups. Directed by Pablo Doudchitzky and produced by Montes-Bradley.
- Low Blows: La Raulito. Chronicles the life of Maria Esher Duffau ("La Raulito"), a celebrated soccer fan-mascot for Boca Juniors and an iconic figure in Buenos Aires folklore. Directed by Emiliano Serra and produced by Eduardo Montes-Bradley, it debuted at the 2009 Mar del Plata International Film Festival.
- Negro sobre blanco. A biographical piece about Margarita Bróndolo, a trailblazing female negative cutter at Estudios San Miguel during Argentina’s cinematic golden age. The film incorporates archival footage and interviews, directed and edited by Eduardo López with producer Montes Bradley.