White Elephant

- director: Pablo Trapero
- actor: Jérémie Renier Martina Gusman Ricardo Darín
- writer: Pablo Trapero
Synopsis:
In the vast, poverty-stricken and highly dangerous Buenos Aires slum that is the Villa Virgen, two men – bothfriends, both Catholic priests, both deeply respected by the local community for their tireless endeavours on behalf of the poor and the dispossessed – take very different paths in their struggle against violence, corruption and injustice.
Julian uses his political connections to oversee the construction of a hospital. Nicolas has joined Julian following the failure of a project in the jungle, after paramilitary forces assassinated members of the local community. Deeply troubled, he is facing a profound crisis of faith – faith in himself, faith in the ability of the Catholic Church to protect the interests of the poor, faith in God.
Between them is Luciana, an attractive atheist social worker who works alongside Julian but begins to grow closer to Nicolas, exacerbating doubts about his vocation.
Ravaged by constant struggle, torn apart by the conflicting interests of rival drug cartels, venal political ambitions, rampant police corruption and the basic needs of the people, the Villa is a place of ever-growing tensions. When work on the hospital is stopped by ministerial order, things reach boiling point and a riot erupts.
For Julian and Nicolas, the moment of reckoning – the final test of friendship and faith – arrives in a chapel where they find themselves protecting a neighbourhood youth on the run from murderous cops… [Synopsis courtesy of Wild Bunch]
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
CriticWire
-
Film
‘Southland Tales’ at 15: An Oral History of the Cannes Cut Nobody Saw Coming
As the original version of the movie finally hits Blu-ray, Richard Kelly and his peers recall the weird and unpredictable ride.
Read More » -
Television
Netflix Claims ‘Bridgerton’ Breaks TV Record with 82M Household Views, Up 6M from ‘The Witcher’
Henry Cavill is no match for the Bridgerton family.
Read More » -
Film
Cannes Film Festival Pushed to July 2021
The 2021 festival was originally scheduled for May 11-22.
Read More » -
Television
From ‘America’ to Hilaria: Suni Reyes Uses Humor to Fight the Pandemic and Raise Latinx Voices
After more than a decade in the industry, she’s still offered roles like maids and, famously, Delivery Driver No. 2.
Read More » -
Awards
One Year After Its Big Sundance Premiere, ‘Palm Springs’ Is Still Changing Cristin Milioti’s Career
Reflecting on her Sundance darling and Hulu hit, the actress tells IndieWire how the film gave her the kind of “entire spectrum” role she’s always wanted.
Read More » -
Film
Warner Bros. 2021 Trailer Debuts ‘Sopranos’ Prequel Footage, ‘Dune’ Still Set for HBO Max
A new Warner Bros. sizzle for 2021 includes the first footage of Clint Eastwood in “Cry Macho” and Will Smith in “King Richard.”
Read More » -
Film
The 9 Best Short Films Playing This Year’s Sundance Film Festival
Taika Waititi, Dee Rees, the Duplass Brothers, and Andrea Arnold showed shorts at Sundance. The next great filmmaker could be in this bunch.
Read More » -
Film
‘Spencer’ First Look: Kristen Stewart’s Princess Diana Movie Gets New Image, Synopsis, and More
The historical drama is eyeing a fall 2021 release, just ahead of the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death in 2022.
Read More » -
Shop
Finished the ‘Bridgerton’ Books? Julia Quinn Recommends What to Read Next
All products and services featured by IndieWire are independently selected by IndieWire editors. However, IndieWire may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Finished bingeing “Bridgerton” on Netflix and immediately started reading the “Bridgerton” novels by Julia Quinn? You’re certainly not […]
Read More » -
Television
‘Vikings: Valhalla’: Netflix Unveils Cast for Upcoming Spin-Off Series
Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsson, Leo Suter, Bradley Freegard, and a slew of other actors will star in Netflix’s upcoming historical action series.
Read More » -
Television
Television Academy Launches Internship Program Focused on Diversity
The new internship program is designed for Los Angeles-area college students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Read More » -
Television
‘Young Rock’ Trailer: Dwayne Johnson’s NBC Sitcom Honors His Father — Watch
Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan said viewers should expect numerous cameos from actors playing wrestlers of old.
Read More »