Valentin 2004

In the sweltering summer of 1969, the world was abuzz with the thrill of space exploration, and in a small Argentine household, eight-year-old Valentín (Noya) donned thick black-rimmed glasses, his eyes perpetually gazing upward, dreaming of joining the celestial pioneers. His life was marked by the stark contrast between his idyllic childhood and the tumultuous divorce that had torn his family apart, leaving him in the care of his grandmother (Maura). The once-thriving relationship with his Jewish mother, chased away by his dictatorial father’s (Agresti) imperious demands, now existed only as a faint memory.

As Valentín navigated this fractured reality, he found solace in the camaraderie of his uncle Chiche (Jean Pierre Noher), who treated him like an old friend, and Rufo, the piano teacher from across the street (Mex Urtizberea), who conversed with him as if he were a sage elder. It seemed that Valentín possessed an unspoken wisdom, born from the trials of his young life.

One fateful Sunday, Valentín accompanied his uncle to mass, where a priest’s (Fabián Vena) impassioned words about Che Guevara’s sacrifice sparked a mixture of emotions within him. As the congregation dispersed, Valentín mused aloud: “But just like my uncle said, the priest couldn’t change anything. Everything stayed the same.” Little did he know that this sentiment would soon be tested in his own life.

Enter Leticia (Julieta Cardinali), a radiant beauty and his father’s latest paramour. As they spent the day together, sharing stories and laughter, Valentín opened up about his family dynamics, revealing the cracks in his father’s armor. This intimate confidante had an unexpected effect on Leticia – she reevaluated her relationship with Valentín’s father and ultimately ended their affair, much to his dismay. The consequences were immediate: his father blamed Valentín for the breakdown, leaving the young boy grappling with the weight of grown-up decisions.

As the days unfold, Valentín’s grandmother, once the vibrant heartbeat of the family, begins to falter beneath the surface. Despite her weakening condition, she stubbornly resists the idea of seeking medical attention, leaving Valentín no choice but to devise a clever plan to coax her into visiting Dr. Galaburri (Carlos Roffé). The scheme appears to pay off as his grandmother makes the necessary lifestyle adjustments, and in gratitude, Valentín thoughtfully commissions a painting for the doctor’s office.

However, fate has other plans. Just as it seems that Valentín’s grandmother is on the road to recovery, her health takes a drastic turn for the worse, and she passes away at the hospital. Crushed by grief, Valentín retreats to the comfort of his friend’s home, seeking solace in the familiar rhythms of school life.

Months later, a thoughtful stranger arrives at Valentín’s doorstep, bearing a poignant gift from his mother - a shirt that holds the whispers of her love. As they engage in a heartfelt conversation about Valentín’s mother and her prolonged absence, he begins to unravel the tangled threads of their complicated past. The film concludes on a hopeful note as Valentín orchestrates a blind date between Leticia and his piano teacher Rufo, setting the stage for an evening of warmth and connection. As they share a meal together, Valentín reveals that the experience has inspired him to pursue his passion for writing, while Leticia and Rufo embark on a journey of happiness, their futures intertwined like the notes of a harmonious melody.