Synopsis
Nahir analyzes the circumstances preceding and following the murder of a young man named Fernando Pastorizzo. Fernando’s body was found on a street in Gualeguaychú in December of 2017. Nahir Galarza (Valentina Zenere), as a 19-year-old, became the subject of a media frenzy after claiming to have killed him. But, as the film uncovers, this wasn’t straightforward.
It is clear that the public came across the story in bits and pieces and the consumption was so shallow that they based it off news articles, social media, and courtroom spectacles, which is represented in the non-linear narrative structure of the film. In Nahir’s character, we see a young woman who comes from a well to do family. Her father Marcelo Galarza (César Bordón) is a police officer and seems to live a respectable life. But, underneath this calm and collected exterior, lies a world filled with strife, other forms of rage articulation, and a complicated romance with Fernando.
Under the hands of Hernán Guerschuny, the tumultuous nature of Nahir and Fernando’s relationship comes to life. Their romance is portrayed as obsessive and manipulative, filled with control, profound violence, jealousy, along with passionate quarrels. This film manages to bear the tender, yet toxic instincts and forever leave people pondering the relations between the two.
Nahir’s confession starts to come apart at the seams as the story progresses. Did Nahir have an accomplice? Was it planned out, or does passion guide the actions? The audience is introduced to these doubts during subtitled courtroom sessions, police interrogations, and flashbacks which contradict one another.
Complicating the story, Nahir considers the aftermath of the crime as well. The cross-examination fueled most of the speculation online, circulating graphics of Nahir’s face, plastering her entire persona across tabloids, websites, and news channels within hours. The film does a brilliant job demonstrating how the media wildfire not only turns the public bias but potentially shifts the direction of the case.
Nahir’s sentencing scene is filled with a mix of sorrow and uncertainty, which is where the film’s focus shifts. Instead of providing a clear answer, Nahir poses difficult challenges surrounding feelings of guilt, judgement, and oversights concerning how gender captures scrutiny in a time where scandals run rampant and are of high demand, leading the audience to encounter even more thought-provoking scenarios.
Cast & Performances
Valentina Zenere as Nahir Galarza:
Zenere’s performance as Nahir Zenere is perhaps her most recognizable to this moment as it has been characterized as a career-defining one. Best known for her roles in youth dramas, here she steps into far darker territory, portraying Nahir with a defiance, vulnerability, and mystique. Rather than portraying her character as a simplistic victim or a vile perpetrator, Zenere offers a complex portrayal that begs empathy even as the audience is appalled.
César Bordón as Marcelo Galarza:
Bordón supports the film as Nahir’s father and adds substantial emotional weight to the film. His performance captures the tenderness of a father who loves his daughter and is torn apart between taking her life away with his authority as a law enforcer. His layered portrayal adds depth to the family dynamics while highlighting the tension of public attention.
Simón Hempe as Fernando Pastorizzo:
Hempe plays Fernando with a rich blend that captures his charm and charisma that initially captured Nahir while also exposing a darker side characterized by possessiveness, volatility, and domineering. His portrayal does not reduce Fernando to the role of a victim or an antagonist, instead constructing a complex character filled with nuance.
Supporting Cast:
The film is accompanied by judges, lawyers, and media figures that round out the ensemble and offer a revealing glimpse into a community grappling with a scandal that is at once deeply felt and profoundly public.
Direction & Production
Nahir is directed by Hernán Guerschuny who interlopes the aesthetics of a thriller with a documentary approach capturing gritty realism, all while maintaining a deft touch. Guershunys approach never seems to exploit; rather he welcomes viewers to reflect on how the stories are shaped and consumed in real time.
The film is visually striking given the muted color palette of Gualeguaychú, both beautiful and bleak. Cantini’s closeups are claustrophobic in nature; readers are drawn into the intimacy of Nahir’s world that is turbulent.
Absence of didacticism in the screenplay co-written by Guerschuny and Wilhelmi adds to strength and bluntness. As sharp as it gets, people are forced to face multiple angles allowing them to reflect around their own judgments.
Pedro Onetto’s score for the film is’s understated yet haunting and atmospheric. The tension enriched without overpowering the narration by the weave into the emotions of dread, melancholy, and suspense that is laced into the story fabric.
IMDb Ratings & Reception
Following the film’s release, Nahir holds a 7.1 out of 10 rating on IMDB and has received praise from both critics and audiences for its captivating story, stellar acting, and careful exploration of sensitive themes. Viewers particularly praised Valentina Zenere for her performance, noting it was “captivating” and “fully human.”
While critics laud the film for its exploration of tragedy, most agree that its dramatic elements are respectful to the event and focus more on social commentary than sensationalism. Analysis of media impact and public perception are, without a doubt, some of the most important features of the film.
Audience responses have been mixed—some view Nahir as a brutal depiction of a young woman trapped in a toxic relationship with society, while others deem it a tale of caution on self-responsibility and manipulation.
Conclusion
Nahir (2024) is a captivating yet reflective crime drama that looks beyond the court’s perspective, analyzing the culture and psychology surrounding the case, arguably one of the most controversial in Argentina. Hernán Guerschuny does not just tell the story of a murder, but how the narrative, and the public’s distorted need for answers, constructs and contorts reality.
Nahir, with its standout performances from Valentina Zenere along with others, leaves viewers guessing by not providing conclusive answers. With Nahir, audiences are invited to grapple with their understanding of guilt and innocence within the context of today’s sensationalized media trials.
Its haunting visuals paired with complex character narratives makes Nahir a true delight for true crime enthusiasts; it provides a gripping experience that stays with viewers long after the credits have rolled.
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