Movies: Penélope (2018) by Agustín Adba: Wandering Through the Abyss of Innocence
- dailyentertainment95
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Urban Drift Through Nights and Emptiness
A minimalistic, atmospheric drama following Penélope, an architecture student in Buenos Aires. She drifts through shallow, often purely sexual encounters with men and women, seeking escape in parties, substances, and superficiality. Set against the city’s pretentious art scene, her journey reveals a growing sense of existential emptiness and moral abyss. The film captures the paradox of a generation that appears liberated but is quietly plagued by disconnection and doubt.
Where to watch movie: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/penelope-2018 (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/penelope-2018 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/penelope-2018 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/penelope-2018 (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/penelope-2018 (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/penelope-2018 (Italy), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/penelope-2018-0 (Spain), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/penelope-2018 (Germany), https://www.justwatch.com/nl/movie/penelope-2018 (Netherlands)
About movie: https://www.selvacine.com/penelopeeng.html
Why to Recommend This Film: A Mirror for a Disconnected Generation
Why to watch this movie:
Bold exploration of youth and indulgence — Portrays a young woman adrift in fleeting relationships, entangled in a seductive, morally ambiguous world.
Fresh Argentine indie voice — Agustín Adba's debut offers a minimalist yet evocative window into contemporary urban disaffection.
Festival recognition — Selected for competition at the Buenos Aires Festival of Independent Cinema (BAFICI), spotlighting its artistic promise.
What is the Trend Followed: Indie Films of Disaffected Youth
Intimate, character-driven minimalism — Slow pacing and sparse narrative that value mood over plot.
Exploration of modern disconnection — A cinematic wave depicting young adults who feel untethered from traditional roles.
Subversion of romance — Fragmented, desire-driven encounters replace conventional love stories.
Director’s Vision: Adba’s Nights of Restless Youth
Autobiographical nightlife inspiration — Draws on Adba’s years of nocturnal wandering in Buenos Aires.
A character on the verge of adulthood — Penélope clings to adolescence, delaying responsibility.
Challenging gender norms — Her fluid sexuality reflects a rejection of rigid categories.
Critique of the art world — Highlights elitism and emptiness in artistic circles.
Themes: Echoes of Alienation in the City
Alienation and moral void — Life without direction mirrors youth lost in uncertainty.
Search for identity outside norms — Promiscuity and independence as rebellion against labels.
Surface versus substance — Glamorous façades reveal emptiness.
Transition and resistance — Fear of adulthood portrayed as defiance.
Key Success Factors: The Elements That Make It Stand Out
Strong visual and tonal crafting — Elegance in imagery and sound design.
Performance-centered storytelling — Cumelén Sanz’s authenticity anchors the film.
Festival recognition — BAFICI nomination gave it a platform.
Relevant themes — Youth disconnection and gender fluidity resonate with audiences.
Awards & Nominations: Festival Spotlight Without a Trophy
The film earned 1 nomination at the Buenos Aires Festival of Independent Cinema (Best Editing for Manuel Ferrari). Though it did not win, its presence in Argentina’s leading indie competition highlighted its artistic merit.
Critics Reception: Aesthetic Strength, Narrative Fragility
Otros Cines (Diego Batlle): Elegant and well-acted; loses force in its second half.
Fotogramas (Fausto Fernández): Beautifully shot but disrupted by awkward transitions.
Cinéfilo Serial (Sami Schuster): Natural performance by Sanz, yet weak dramatic tension.
A Sala Llena (Matías Orta): Good acting, but narrative structure is fragile.
Página 12 (Juan Pablo Cinelli): Commended visuals and sound, with slow pacing noted.
Overall Summary: Praised for aesthetics and performance, criticized for lack of narrative depth.
Reviews: Beautiful but Unsteady Indie Experience
Positive notes: Strong atmosphere, elegant visuals, Cumelén Sanz’s performance.
Critiques: Weak plotting, little conflict, uneven pacing.
Consensus: Stylistically appealing, narratively fragile.
Movie Trend: Existential Drifter Cinema
The film follows a trend of indie dramas focused on young adults drifting without direction, prioritizing atmosphere and emotional tone over conventional storytelling.
Social Trend: Fluid Desire in a Binary-Breaking World
The narrative reflects cultural shifts toward acceptance of fluid sexuality and rejection of rigid gender categories, mirroring contemporary social conversations.
Final Verdict: Stylish Snapshot of a Generation’s Void
Penélope is a stylish yet fragile exploration of youth lost in the emptiness of urban life. Agustín Adba’s debut captures disconnection, desire, and rebellion through strong visuals and a compelling lead performance. Though narratively weak, it stands as a bold indie portrait of contemporary alienation.
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