"Puzzle" at New People Cinema

I've been on a huge Argentine film kick lately. The latest import, "Puzzle" ("Rompecabezas"), is a feature debut from director Natalia Smirnoff. Quietly beautiful and rich with emotion, it is a film that deserves attention. It's only playing for a week in San Francisco, so this is your chance to check out new cinema from Argentina.

"Puzzle," starring Maria Onetto. Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.Starring renowned actress Maria Onetto, the film is a finely rendered character portrait of a middle-aged housewife who discovers the joy of jigsaw puzzles. Her husband and sons don't understand her newfound obsession and are quick to criticize when she doesn't prioritize their domestic demands. In her own way, she rebels and claims her independence by training for a local puzzle competition.

Onetto's restrained, nuanced expressions are very fun to observe. Like piecing a puzzle together, you feel every subtle, warm ripple of joy when she completes one, or her frustration when her husband admonishes her for neglecting her daily chores.

 "Puzzle," starring Maria Onetto. Courtesy of San Francisco Film Society.

"Puzzle" is now playing at San Francisco Film Society | New People Cinema on a limited run (September 9 to September 15). Buy tickets at sffs.org.

Comments

[Halley | Clothing Tags]

I've never watched an Argentine film before and I think Puzzle is definitely a must-watch movie. My mom also love puzzles, crossword puzzles to be exact. And I don't we've ever stopped her from doing it because we know that she enjoys it.

[Carolyn Jung]

What a sweet premise. I was just reading a story in the NYT about how people leave jigsaw puzzles on the ferries there. And passengers always look forward to helping to put them together -- even if they never end up seeing the finished product.

[Tami]

Oh, that's awesome. The collaborative spirit is always fun to watch.