Rised and important reflections. 27 nights – on Netflix starting today – is an Argentine dramedy directed by Daniel Hendler who narrates the story of an elderly woman forcibly committed to a psychiatric clinic from greedy daughters. Inspired by a story really happened, tackles a burning issue in a way intimate and ironic.
27 nights on Netflix, the plot of the film in streaming
Martha Hoffman (Marilú Marini) is an eccentric 83-year-old do-gooderfamous for its wealth and independent character. His daughters, thoughworried about his extravagant behaviors, they ask that she be admitted to a psychiatric clinicclaiming that he suffers from senile dementia. Thus enters Casares (Daniel Hendler, director of the film), a judicial expert who is tasked with assessing whether Martha is really ill or whether he is simply choosing to live according to his will, apparently free from social conventions.
As the investigation progresses, the first doubts emerge: hospitalization Is it really a gesture of love on the part of his daughters or is it rather a way to control his inheritance? In fact, Martha refuses to be defined as fragile or disconnected, asserting her right to decide for herself in the last years of her life.
The daughters, torn between love and interest, however reveal some hidden sides of their mother which further complicate the truth. Casares therefore must extricate himself from memories and silenced truths and conflicting interpretations, trying to finally find an answer to all his questions.
Marilù Marini in a scene from “27 Nights”. (Netflix)
A bittersweet comedy based on a true story, the review
Adaptation of the novel Veintisiete noches by Natalia Zito – in turn based on the true story of Natalia Kohenactually interned by her daughters at the age of 87 –, 27 nights tackles complex issues with clarity and irony. Like the old agetheself-determination and the boundary between care and control. Directed by Argentine actor and director Daniel Hendleralso co-starring, the film explores what happens when an elderly person’s freedom comes into conflict with the expectations and fears of their loved ones.
Avoiding sensationalist tones, the director thus constructs a calibrated story, which alternates drama and irony with great naturalness. The humor is often subtle, almost bitter, but never cynical, and serves to expose family and social hypocrisies. Supported by a calm rhythm and dry writingcapable of conveying authentic emotional complexity, 27 nights it’s not a film that seeks immediate effect but rather invites thoughtful and unprejudiced reflection.
Successfully presented at the San Sebastián Festival last year, 27 nights it is also a story about aging and the right to live to the fullestwithout having to justify every choice. In this sense, It’s a more relevant film than ever and, above all, doesn’t offer simple answers but takes the time to ask the right questions. The result is a sober and touching work which remains imprinted for its honesty and humanity.
The cast of 27 nights and the extraordinary performance of Marilú Marini
Actress Argentinian of Italian origins born in 1940, Marilù Marini began her career in the theater avant-garde of Buenos Aires, and then move to Paris in the 70swhere he collaborated with important directors and playwrights such as Claire Denis and Daniel Schmidt.
Famous in his homeland for his intense and transformative stage presencethe actress played both dramatic and ironic roles, always with great expressiveness. In 27 nightsMarilú gives an intense (and critically praised) performance which perfectly balances firmness, eccentricity and vulnerability.
The film’s co-star is director and actor Daniel Hendlerfamous for having won the 2004 Silver Bear as Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival for his performance in The embraced party. Among his most recent titles The Lost Brother And Waiting for the Messiah, film that tells the story of a young Jew from Buenos Aires, divided between family traditions and the desire for personal freedom.