New Movies: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed (2024) by Hernán Rosselli: A Family Gamble in the Buenos Aires Underworld

The Core Story: Real Lives, Fictional Stakes

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" (original title: "Algo viejo, algo nuevo, algo prestado") is an Argentine crime drama/docu-fiction film directed by Hernán Rosselli. The film centers on the Felpeto family, a real family living in a working-class suburb on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, who have for decades run a clandestine gambling business from their home.

The narrative unfolds after the death of the family patriarch, with the matriarch, Alejandra, and her daughter, Maribel (played by real-life family members Maribel Felpeto and Alejandra Cánepa), taking over the illicit operation. As rumors of intensifying police raids on similar illegal betting rings circulate, the family's dynasty is threatened, forcing them to confront not only external threats but also internal disputes over an undeclared inheritance and a newly unearthed secret about their late father. Rosselli intricately blends fiction with documentary elements, incorporating old family home videos and CCTV footage with scripted scenes where the family members portray "doppelgänger" versions of themselves, exploring themes of love, revenge, and violence within their unique "parallel economy" without ever resorting to gloom.

Short Summary: A Family's Betting Empire Under Threat

Hernán Rosselli's "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is a crime drama that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, following the real-life Felpeto family as they portray themselves running an illegal gambling business in Buenos Aires. After the patriarch's death, the matriarch and daughter navigate police threats and family secrets, using archival footage to explore their history and the precarious nature of their underground empire. It's a unique blend of a crime thriller and intimate family portrait.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32128950/

Link Review: https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/something-old-something-new-something-borrowed-cannes-review/5193096.article

About movie: https://www.mpmpremium.com/catalogue/something-old-something-new-something-borrowed

Link to watch: https://www.universcine.com/films/quelque-chose-de-vieux-quelque-chose-de-neuf-quelque-chose-d-emprunte (France)

Detailed Look: Documentary Blends with Neo-Noir

Hernán Rosselli’s "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is a fascinating and often subtle take on the crime genre, drawing comparisons to early Scorsese for its grounded realism but diverging by removing the typical glamorization of violence. The film’s most distinctive feature is its docu-fiction approach, where the real Felpeto family plays scripted versions of themselves, and actual family home movies from decades past are seamlessly interwoven with contemporary, fictionalized scenes. This blend provides a tangible naturalism, grounding the crime plot in a deep sense of lived reality and family history.

The narrative focuses on the internal dynamics of the Felpeto household as they face the existential threat of police crackdowns. Maribel, the de facto protagonist, not only manages the daily operations of logging bets but also narrates the family's past over the old home videos, revealing secrets and providing context for their current predicament. Her mother, Alejandra, assumes a quiet but firm control of the matriarchal business. The film uses the backdrop of the clandestine lottery (known as "quiniela" in Argentina) to explore broader themes of a shadow economy, the allure of quick money, and how such illicit activities shape entire lives. While some critics note a lack of urgency or a somewhat anticlimactic ending due to its meditative pace, others praise its exquisite craftsmanship, evocative sound design, and ability to explore the vulnerabilities of characters in the underworld, making it a unique "crime thriller reminiscent of early Scorsese—both unsettling and captivating."

Plot Summary: The Unraveling Dynasty

• The Felpeto Legacy: The film introduces the Felpeto family, who have long run an underground sports betting operation from their home in a Buenos Aires suburb.

• A New Matriarchy: Following the death of the father, the business is now overseen by the matriarch, Alejandra, with her daughter, Maribel, handling the daily operations and managing a team of clerks.

• Rumors of Raids: News begins to circulate about police raids on other illegal lottery bankers in the area, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and uncertainty for the Felpetos.

• Internal Strife and Secrets: Amidst the external threats, family disputes arise, particularly concerning an undeclared inheritance left by the deceased father. Maribel also uncovers secrets from her father's past while trying to hack into his laptop to purge incriminating records.

• Blending Past and Present: Maribel's narration over old family home movies provides a glimpse into the family's history, including how her parents met and the origins of their betting empire, adding layers of memory and context to their current struggles.

• The Unraveling: As the family prepares for a potential raid, the tension builds, revealing the fragile nature of their illicit business and the deep personal stakes involved.

• Resolution and Legacy: The film concludes with a resolution to the immediate threat and family disputes, but also a reflection on the enduring legacy of the Felpeto family and their place within Argentina's parallel economy. The ending is described as more meditative than explosive, emphasizing continuity and the cyclical nature of their lives.

Director's Vision: Hernán Rosselli's Blended Reality

Hernán Rosselli’s vision for "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is to blur the lines between fiction and documentary to create a unique, grounded, and intimate portrait of a family operating within an illicit economy.

• Docu-Fiction Hybridity: Rosselli deliberately casts a real family (the Felpetos) to play fictionalized versions of themselves, incorporating their actual home videos and CCTV footage. This creates a tangible sense of authenticity and allows him to explore the "intrinsic falseness" of money and the ways an economic system shapes lives.

• "Borgesian Delusion": Drawing inspiration from Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, Rosselli aims to weave together real embellishments from unreliable narrators (the criminals themselves) with archival footage, creating a "darkling vision of Borgesian delusion" related to the shadow economy.

• Reinventing Crime and Family Drama: His aim is to reinvent both the family film and the gangster film by removing the genre's typical grit and romanticism, focusing instead on the characters' vulnerability, fear, and everyday reality within the illegal trade.

• Money as a Central Theme: Consistent with his previous work (like "Mauro"), Rosselli continues to dissect the profits obtained by illegal gambling, contrasting it with legal financial capitalism, highlighting money as a "visible god" in the world.

• Nostalgic and Humorous Tone: Despite the serious subject matter of crime and economic hardship, Rosselli strives for a "nostalgic and humorous film," avoiding gloom and allowing for a "playfulness with form."

• Meticulous Editing: Given his background as an editor, Rosselli's vision relies on masterful editing to sustain the narrative's rigor and seamlessly integrate the disparate elements of archival footage and scripted scenes.

Themes: Echoes of Humanity

• The Parallel Economy: A deep dive into the informal, clandestine economic systems that operate alongside legal ones, particularly in working-class communities.

• Family Dynasty and Legacy: The inheritance, secrets, and challenges of maintaining a family business, especially one that operates outside the law.

• Truth and Fiction: The film's formal blend explores how reality and narrative can intertwine, and how individuals construct their own truths within their lives.

• Memory and History: The use of old home videos highlights the role of personal and collective memory in shaping identity and understanding the present.

• Love, Revenge, and Violence (without gloom): These genre elements are explored through a lens that emphasizes the human cost and the underlying emotions rather than sensationalism.

• Risk and Fate (Gambling as Metaphor): The omnipresent element of gambling reflects the inherent risks of the family's business and the unpredictable nature of their lives.

Key Success Factors: Ingredients for Triumph

• Unique Docu-Fiction Approach: The blending of a real family playing fictionalized versions of themselves, interspersed with authentic home videos, creates a compelling and novel viewing experience.

• Hernán Rosselli's Distinctive Style: Rosselli's reputation for exploring themes of money and reality with a unique, grounded approach is a major draw.

• Authenticity and Realism: The use of real people and locations lends a tangible sense of realism that elevates it beyond a typical crime drama.

• Intimate Family Portrait: The film succeeds as a character study of a family navigating a crisis, making their struggles relatable despite their illicit activities.

• Critical Acclaim and Festival Presence: Premiering at Directors' Fortnight in Cannes and winning awards at other international festivals signals its artistic quality and critical interest.

Awards and Nominations: Acknowledged Brilliance

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" has received significant recognition at film festivals:

• 77th Cannes Film Festival (May 2024):

  • Nominated: Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes) selection (World Premiere)

• Gijón International Film Festival:

  • Won: Best Film (Retueyos Section)

• Festival de Cine de Lima:

  • Won: Best Actress (Maribel Felpeto)

• Ficunam Festival Internacional de Cine UNAM:

  • Won: Best Feature

• Sur Awards (Argentina Academy Awards):

  • 5 nominations

The film has also been selected for numerous other prestigious festivals including Films from the South, Viennale, Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo, Bergen International Film Festival, and more.

Critics Reception: Voices from the Critics

IONCINEMA.com (Nicholas Bell):

• Summary: Bell finds the film to be a "hypnotic and technically inventive tale of memory, family secrets, and what lies between the lines in contemporary Buenos Aires." He praises Rosselli's blending of found footage with current stresses, which "adds a surprising dimension of dread." While he finds the Felpetos "amusing," he notes that Rosselli "steers clear of any real highs or lows," leading to exposed secrets and solutions that feel like "an inevitability." He gives it 3/5 stars, suggesting its playfulness with form "pales in comparison" to more experimental Argentinean fare but finds its "beauty exists in the periphery."

• Overall Impression: Positive, highlighting the film's originality and thematic depth, but noting a deliberate lack of dramatic peaks.

The Upcoming (Review from Cannes Film Festival 2024):

• Summary: Describes the film as a "grand crime thriller akin to one of Scorsese's gangster movies" but notes its "lacklustre ending dulls the impact." It praises Rosselli's blend of home movies and CCTV footage for bringing "tangible naturalism." The review highlights the "meditative piece on the family's relationships" and their working-class background, appreciating the removal of "grit and romanticism that the genre is known for to show these characters as vulnerable and scared." However, it finds the "slower pacing" and "lack of urgency and action" lead to an "anticlimactic ending."

• Overall Impression: Mixed-to-positive, appreciating the unique approach and character work but criticizing the ending and slow pace.

Screen Daily (Jonathan Holland):

• Summary: Holland writes that the film "sweats authenticity from every pore," calling it "Noir filtered through the lens of documentary." He praises the "air of claustrophobia and grunginess" that remains powerfully evident.

• Overall Impression: Highly positive, emphasizing the film's gritty realism and unique aesthetic.

Les Inrockuptibles (Marilou Duponchel):

• Summary: Duponchel states that "with 'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed', Hernán Rosselli manages to reinvent both the family film and the gangster film."

• Overall Impression: Highly positive, commending the film's innovative genre blending.

Overall Critics Reception Summary:

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" has received a largely positive and intriguing critical reception, with many reviewers captivated by its unique docu-fiction approach and Hernán Rosselli's distinct directorial voice. Critics universally praise the film's authentic portrayal of the Felpeto family and their clandestine gambling business, often highlighting how the blend of real home videos and scripted performances creates a compelling sense of realism. The film's meditative pace and focus on character vulnerability within the crime genre are frequently noted as strengths, offering a fresh perspective on familiar tropes.

However, some critics point to a deliberate lack of dramatic highs and lows, which, while contributing to its unique style, can lead to a sense of inevitability or an anticlimactic ending for viewers expecting a more conventional crime thriller. Despite these nuances, the overall consensus is that it's a technically inventive, beautifully crafted, and thought-provoking film that successfully reinvents established genres while offering a powerful look into Argentina's shadow economy and the lives intertwined with it.

Reviews

Plex (Aggregated Reviews):

• Summary: Provides a general rating of 6.4/10 and lists snippets from various critics. Daniel Allen from Loud and Clear Reviews notes it's "worth a watch for how it bends the documentary form, distorting the context of real footage to interrogate the notions of technology and memory." Hector A. Gonzalez from InSession Film calls it "a crime drama with a neo-noir background that isn't explored due to its focus on the personal and meditative - a blend of elements and dark tones that borrow from a variety of genres, most to its favor."

• Overall Impression: Positive, highlighting the film's formal innovation and genre blending.

Festival Scope Pro:

• Summary: Provides detailed production information and a synopsis, along with snippets of critical praise from Les Inrockuptibles ("manages to reinvent both the family film and the gangster film") and Screen Daily ("sweats authenticity from every pore," "Noir filtered through the lens of documentary").

• Overall Impression: Highly positive, emphasizing the film's unique blend and authenticity.

Overall Reviews Summary:

Reviews for "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" consistently emphasize its innovative formal approach, specifically the docu-fiction hybridity that allows a real family to embody their fictionalized counterparts. This blending of real archival footage with scripted drama is widely seen as the film's most captivating element, contributing to a strong sense of authenticity and realism. Reviewers highlight how the film reimagines the crime drama genre by focusing on the intimate, meditative aspects of a family's struggles within an illicit business, rather than sensationalized violence. While some reviews mention that its slower pace and lack of conventional dramatic peaks might lead to an anticlimactic feel for some viewers, the overwhelming sentiment is one of admiration for its originality, subtle power, and Hernán Rosselli's unique vision. It's frequently praised as a technically accomplished and thought-provoking work that expands the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.

Box Office: An Arthouse Gem

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight in May 2024. Its theatrical release is primarily art-house and festival-driven.

As of the current date, its worldwide box office performance is not widely reported in major aggregators like Box Office Mojo or The Numbers in a specific, detailed entry, likely due to its limited, specialized distribution. However, its presence on lists of Argentine films of 2024 suggests a domestic release in Argentina.

Given its nature as an independent, non-English language art-house film, its financial success would be measured more by critical acclaim, festival recognition, and long-term digital/streaming potential rather than large commercial grosses. It is intended for a discerning audience interested in innovative storytelling and international cinema.

Production Summary: An Argentine-European Collaboration

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is a 2024 crime drama/docu-fiction film with a running time of 100 minutes.

• Directed by: Hernán Rosselli

• Written by: Hernán Rosselli, Federico Rotstein, Jimena Garcia Molt

• Starring: (Real-life Felpeto family members playing themselves)

  • Maribel Felpeto as Maribel

  • Alejandra Cánepa as Alejandra (Maribel's mother)

  • Hugo Felpeto

  • Leandro Menendez

  • Juliana Simoes Risso

  • Javier Abril Rotger

  • Marcelo Barbosa

• Cinematography: Joaquín Neira

• Edited by: Hernán Rosselli, Federico Rotstein, Jimena García Molt

• Production Companies: 36 Caballos (Argentina), Un Resentimiento de Provincia Cine (Argentina), Protón Cine (Argentina), Zebra Cine (Argentina), Arde Cine (Argentina), Jaibo Films (Spain), Oublaum Filmes (Portugal). This indicates a significant international co-production.

• Distributed by: MPM Premium (International Sales)

• Country of Origin: Argentina (Co-produced with Portugal and Spain)

• Language: Spanish

• MPA Rating: Not widely specified, but likely unrated or with a mature rating given themes of crime.

The production is noted for its unique approach of casting a real family and integrating their personal archives into the fictional narrative, which was central to Rosselli's vision.

Release Dates: A Festival Circuit Highlight

• World Premiere: May 16, 2024 (77th Cannes Film Festival, Directors' Fortnight)

• Argentina Theatrical Release: Dates vary, but listed as a 2024 Argentine film.

• International Festival Screenings: Widespread throughout 2024 and 2025 at festivals like Films from the South (Norway), Viennale (Austria), Thessaloniki (Greece), São Paulo (Brazil), Jeonju (South Korea), Gijón (Spain), etc.

Why to Recommend Movie: A Cinematic Invitation

• For Fans of Innovative Storytelling: If you are drawn to films that boldly experiment with form, blending documentary and fiction in compelling ways.

• Unique Perspective on Crime Drama: Offers a fresh, intimate, and realistic take on the underworld, devoid of typical genre romanticism.

• Insight into Argentine Culture: Provides a grounded look into a specific segment of working-class Argentine society and its "parallel economy."

• Character-Driven Narrative: Focuses deeply on the human element and family dynamics amidst external pressures.

• Hernán Rosselli's Distinctive Voice: A must-see for those interested in auteur cinema and emerging talents from Latin America.

Why to Watch Movie: The Power of Presence

• Experience a Genre Reinvention: See how a director can completely reframe a familiar genre (crime thriller) with a unique approach.

• Engage with Authentic Performances: The real family playing themselves brings an unparalleled level of realism and vulnerability to the screen.

• Appreciate Meticulous Craft: The film's seamless integration of archival footage and its precise editing are cinematic achievements.

• Provoke Thought on Reality and Fiction: The film will make you ponder the nature of truth in storytelling and in life itself.

• Discover a Hidden Gem: It's an acclaimed festival darling that offers something truly different from mainstream cinema.

Movie Trend: Following the Current

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is a prime example of the ongoing trend of "Docu-Fiction Hybrids," where filmmakers intentionally blur the lines between documentary and narrative storytelling to achieve a unique form of realism or thematic depth. It also fits into the rising visibility of "Latin American Auteur Cinema," which consistently produces critically acclaimed, formally inventive, and socially relevant films. Furthermore, its grounded, unglamorous portrayal of crime aligns with a broader cinematic shift towards "Neo-Realist Crime Dramas," moving away from stylized gangster narratives.

Social Trend: Mirroring Society

The film directly mirrors the pervasive social trend of informal and shadow economies that exist globally, particularly in working-class communities struggling with economic precarity. It highlights how these parallel systems, often involving illicit activities like illegal gambling, become deeply ingrained in the social fabric and family structures, offering a form of survival or aspiration outside conventional means. The film also touches on the societal fascination with family legacies and secrets, and how past decisions, even those from a hidden life, inevitably impact the present and future generations. It provides a nuanced look at resilience and adaptability within communities that often operate beyond the reach or understanding of formal institutions.

Final Verdict: A Masterful Blurring of Lines in Buenos Aires' Underbelly

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is a captivating and formally innovative film that successfully blurs the boundaries between documentary and fiction to deliver a profoundly authentic and intimate portrait of a family entrenched in Argentina's clandestine gambling world. Hernán Rosselli's direction is assured and artful, creating a film that is at once a crime drama and a poignant family study, devoid of typical genre sensationalism. The decision to cast real family members, particularly Maribel Felpeto and Alejandra Cánepa, and to weave in their actual home videos, imbues the narrative with an unparalleled sense of realism and emotional depth. While its meditative pace and subtle approach to plot progression might differ from conventional thrillers, these choices serve to deepen the film's immersive quality, allowing the audience to truly inhabit the Felpeto family's precarious existence. This is a critically acclaimed, thought-provoking work that redefines the crime genre by grounding it firmly in human vulnerability, historical memory, and the intricate realities of a hidden economy, making it a powerful and unique cinematic experience.

Recommendations for Filmmakers: Unlocking Authenticity Through Bold Blends

• Embrace Docu-Fiction Hybrids with Purpose: Don't shy away from blurring the lines between documentary and fiction. "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" exemplifies how integrating real individuals playing fictionalized versions of themselves, alongside genuine archival footage, can inject unparalleled authenticity and emotional resonance into a narrative, making the story feel lived-in and real.

• Reimagine Genre Conventions: Challenge traditional genre tropes. Instead of merely replicating established crime drama formulas, explore the human and emotional core of illicit activities. By stripping away glamor and focusing on vulnerability, filmmakers can create more nuanced and impactful stories.

• Prioritize Immersive World-Building: Pay meticulous attention to creating a believable and lived-in world, even if it's an "underground" one. The film's success in portraying the intricate details of a clandestine gambling operation, without explicitly explaining every facet, draws the audience deeper into its unique environment.

• Harness the Power of Archival Material: Explore how personal or historical archives can be integrated into fictional narratives to enrich character backstories, provide thematic depth, and create a multi-layered sense of time and memory. This technique can add profound resonance and a unique visual texture.

Recommendations for Movie Industry: Investing in Nuance and Unseen Realities

• Champion Formally Inventive Storytelling: Actively seek out and support films that push the boundaries of cinematic form, particularly those that blend genres or experiment with narrative structures like docu-fiction. These films often lead to critical acclaim and carve out unique spaces in the market.

• Invest in Globally Diverse Narratives: Prioritize projects from underrepresented regions and cultures, especially those that offer intimate insights into societal subcultures or parallel economies. These stories provide crucial perspectives and resonate with a global audience's curiosity about lived realities beyond their immediate experience.

• Recognize the Value of Subtle, Meditative Pacing: Understand that not all compelling dramas require explosive action or rapid-fire plots. Films that opt for a more reflective, character-driven pace can offer deeper emotional engagement and intellectual stimulation, appealing to discerning audiences.

• Cultivate Long-Term Festival and Arthouse Distribution Strategies: For unique, non-mainstream films, focus on strategic festival premieres and sustained arthouse releases, allowing word-of-mouth and critical buzz to build. Success for these films is measured differently than blockbusters, relying on artistic impact and niche audience engagement.

Final Conclusions: "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed": A Deep Dive into Family, Fate, and the Fictions We Live

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is an extraordinary cinematic achievement that daringly blurs the line between documentary and fiction to create an authentic, captivating portrait of a family navigating the precarious world of an illegal gambling business in Buenos Aires. Hernán Rosselli's visionary direction meticulously crafts a narrative that is both an intimate family drama and a grounded crime story, revealing the subtle complexities of lives lived in the shadows. The film's power lies in its unparalleled authenticity, largely due to the real Felpeto family embodying fictionalized versions of themselves, infused with personal history through seamlessly integrated home videos. This unique approach transforms a simple narrative of survival into a meditative exploration of legacy, memory, and the enduring human spirit in the face of uncertainty. "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed" is not just a film to watch; it's an experience to be immersed in, offering a profound and understated look at the human condition that defies easy categorization and solidifies its place as a standout in contemporary world cinema.