Despite Carlitos Bala He was admired and celebrated by many Argentines, many question his work during the period of the Military Dictatorship. For example, during the 78 World Cup, when the Military Junta used football to hide crimes such as the disappearance of people, Balá could be seen in an advertisement in which two children find a passport belonging to a German who comes to the country to see the World Cup, and instead of keeping it they decide to go to the police to return it. “Beautiful example, right? Worthy of being imitated by all (…) We have to show the world how Argentines are. This is our great letter of introduction, and there should be no spelling mistakes”, says Balá looking at the camera.
Several films from that time in which Balá participated as an actor are also questioned. Much of which has a strong propaganda meaning in favor of the Military Junta and the Armed Forces. A clear example is the filming of “Brigade in action” (1977) where Balá can be seen together with Paloto Ortega, who plays a Federal Police agent who patrols the city aboard a Ford Falcon without a license plate, accompanied by two agent friends (one of whom is Balá himself). The three agents must deal with unsolved crimes.
Another movie that serves as an example is “Two Fools in the Air”, also starring Palito Ortega and Balá. In it, Balá plays a clumsy but “good-hearted” soldier. The plot of the film alternates humor and a romantic story, with sequences of flight practices and military exhibitions, enhancing the image of the Dictatorship. It was filmed at the facilities of the Military Aviation School of Córdoba, where a clandestine detention center operated at that time.
Several years ago, during an interview, Jorge Guinzburg He asked Balá why no one called him to work anymore, and suggested that perhaps it was because of his actions during the years of the dictatorship. “I read that you said that perhaps they are billing you for having worked in the years of El Proceso,” Guinzburg told him. “I don’t understand that,” answered Balá, “Many people worked during the military days. I did not work for the military, I worked for my country,” said the comedian, adding: “I played a comic role, I did not go into politics. I was hired by someone who paid me and I played my part.”
by RN
