Argentina, 1985 2022

In 1985, Argentina was still reeling from the aftermath of its brutal seven-year military dictatorship, which had finally been brought to an end. Against this backdrop of uncertainty and fear, President Raúl Alfonsín took a bold step by ordering a trial against all former commanders for crimes against humanity. This move marked a crucial moment in the country’s transition towards democracy.

Public prosecutor Julio César Strassera (Ricardo Darín), a man with a reputation for being fiercely dedicated to upholding justice, was chosen to lead the government’s case against the military junta. As he delved deeper into the complexities of the trial, Julio became increasingly aware that this would be no ordinary courtroom battle. He knew that his family - wife Silvia (Alejandra Flechner), daughter Veronica (Gina Mastronicola), and son Javier (Santiago Armas) - would be at risk due to his involvement in the case.

Julio’s secretary, Susana (Paula Ransenberg), was a constant presence by his side as he navigated the treacherous landscape of politics and paranoia. His mentor, Ruso (Norman Briski), emphasized the importance of this trial, warning Julio that it would be the defining moment of his career. With no option to refuse the case, Julio steeled himself for the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, the military junta had assembled a formidable team of senior lawyers to defend their own interests. In contrast, Strassera struggled to find willing allies to join him in building a strong prosecution team. His assigned deputy prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo (Peter Lanzani), was initially rebuffed by Julio due to his family’s ties to the military. However, as the stakes grew higher, Julio reluctantly accepted Moreno Ocampo’s offer of assistance.

As Strassera received a series of ominous death threats and was assigned a security detail, he became increasingly aware that this trial would be a high-stakes game with no room for error. Despite these challenges, he refused to back down, driven by his conviction that justice must prevail. The stakes were high, and the outcome was far from certain, but Strassera remained resolute in his pursuit of truth and accountability.

As Strassera and Moreno Ocampo embark on their mission to assemble a team of investigators, they leverage their connections with government officials to gain access to crucial materials. The assembled team, comprising individuals working in government offices, is tasked with conducting thorough investigations and building a compelling case within a tight 15-week deadline, which commences on October 21st, 1984. The most daunting challenge lies in providing irrefutable proof that the commanders were aware of the systematic tortures and kidnappings, and that they physically visited detention centers across the country.

To strengthen their case, Strassera and his team focus on documenting a pattern of atrocities committed nationwide, which would suggest top-level coordination. This involves traveling to various regions to gather testimonies from victims and their families. Meanwhile, the investigators themselves face significant risks to their personal safety, as they dare to challenge the military junta’s brutal regime.

As the investigation unfolds, Strassera’s team submits a staggering 16 volumes of evidence, comprising over 4,000 pages, on February 15th, 1985. This extensive documentation covers 709 cases, with more than 800 witnesses providing crucial testimony. The sheer scale of their findings serves as a testament to the junta’s widespread atrocities.

On April 22nd, 1985, the trial commences, but not before the court receives a bomb threat on its opening day. Strassera persuades the judges that proceeding with the trial is essential, and the proceedings are recorded by cameras for broadcast around the world. As victims of the junta take the stand to share their harrowing stories of torture and trauma, witnesses are repeatedly threatened, leaving Julio helpless in his inability to protect them.

In a poignant moment, Adriana Calvo (Laura Paredes) recounts her own ordeal, giving birth while being held captive by the military government during the dictatorship. She recalls being forced to clean floors naked in a marble room before being allowed to hold her newborn baby. This heart-wrenching testimony ultimately shifts Ocampo’s mother’s opinion about the junta, serving as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of their brutal regime.

As President Raúl Alfonsín sits down with Judge Baltazar (José Francisco) to discuss the unfolding drama in the courtroom, he shares his deep concerns and admiration for the courageous testimony of the witnesses. However, the Attorney General’s words cut like a knife, as he advises Strassera to exercise restraint when seeking justice, citing the ever-present threat of the Junta regaining power and unleashing bloodshed once more.

With this sobering reality weighing heavily on his mind, Strassera prepares for his closing argument, set to take place on September 18th, 1985. He recognizes that this will be a moment not only to persuade the judges but also to sway the hearts of the Argentine people and the world at large. Drawing inspiration from his loved ones, he crafts a powerful plea, culminating in the resolute declaration: “Your Honors: never again!” As the judges retire to deliberate, Strassera’s team awaits the outcome with bated breath.

Meanwhile, as Strassera visits his dying friend Ruso, he feels compelled to downplay the severity of the verdicts, assuring him that all the generals have received life sentences. This deception is short-lived, as reality soon sets in, and Strassera learns that General Jorge Videla and Admiral Emilio Massera will indeed spend their remaining days behind bars, while General Roberto Viola faces a seventeen-year sentence, Admiral Armando Lambruschini eight years, and General Orlando Agosti four and a half. The acquittal of three Air Force commanders serves as a bitter pill to swallow.

This landmark moment in history marks the first instance where a military dictatorship has been tried in a civilian court, and Strassera’s quest for justice will not rest until he has exhausted every avenue of appeal.