The hyper-kinetic Argentine neo-noir Gunman (Gatillero) kicks off when the small time gunsel Galgo (Sergio Podeley) returns from prison and learns that the neighborhood drug gangs find him expendable. He immediately finds himself framed for a gangland assassination and goes on the run in a 75-minute, real-time thrill ride.
This is a cops-and-robbers story with no cops. The police are corrupt and stay out of the gang territory, so Galgo is trapped between two gang factions and neighborhood vigilantes – all armed to the teeth and trigger-happy.
As the prey in a midnight man hunt, Galgo’s dash for survival is captured by a handheld camera in shots of very long duration. If you liked Run, Lola, Run or Victoria, you’ll love Gunman.
Prisons are full of guys with bad impulse control, and Galgo is anything but strategic; he is, however, canny enough to recognize when he is being set up. He has some has gangster skills, which he needs as he careens through the hood, We’re certainly not thinking that he’s headed for redemption.
This is a genre film, but also is a real cinematic achievement. Gunman is an amazing first feature for director and co-writer, Cris Tapia Marchiori, and an unforgettable achievement for Marchiori and his veteran cinematographer Martin Sapia.
Based on a true story and shot in its actual setting, the drug-plagued Buenos Aires neighborhood of Isla Maciel, Gunman is brimming with verisimilitude.
As Galgo, Sergio Podeley is in almost every shot, and is believable as the impulsive and increasingly desprate Galgo. Susana Varela is compelling as Nilda, the community’s matriarch and moral center.
I screened Gunman for its US premiere at Cinequest.