The notorious Puccio case that stunned Argentina 30 years ago has lost none of its power to shock, outrage and chill. A member of the secret police of the Videla military regime of the late 70s and early 80s, it was Arquimedes Puccio’s job to kidnap dissidents during the reign of terror where more than 30,000 citizens simply “disappeared”. But after the fall of the regime, the upper middle-class Puccio kept right on going, kidnapping his rich neighbors and demanding huge ransoms – and then killing the victims even after the ransoms were paid.

Director Pablo Trapero tackles the juicy tale with a driving, muscular gusto, delving into Puccio’s fascinating influence over his family and associates. Especially affected was Puccio’s eldest son, Alex, a promising and popular young rugby star, but who was lost in the grip of his father’s psychological control over the “family business”. As entertaining as it is disturbing, The Clan exposes our insatiable fascination for impunity. – Jaie Laplante

SILVER LION – BEST DIRECTOR