In the ever-evolving landscape of global cinema, Argentina has once again produced a masterwork of legal and social intensity. Belén (2025), directed by and starring Dolores Fonzi, is a gripping historical drama that tackles the systemic failures of justice and the spark of a feminist revolution. Following its prestigious premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and its selection as Argentina’s official entry for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, the film has cemented itself as a seminal piece of 2020s filmmaking.
Adapted from the non-fiction book Somos Belén by Ana Correa, the movie offers an unflinching look at a real-life case that fundamentally altered the legal landscape of South America.
Belén (2025): Essential Film Details
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Dolores Fonzi |
| Writers | Dolores Fonzi, Laura Paredes, Agustina San Martín, Nicolás Britos |
| Release Date | September 18, 2025 (Theatrical); November 14, 2025 (Global Streaming) |
| Genre | Legal Drama / Historical / True Story |
| Runtime | 108 Minutes |
| Main Cast | Dolores Fonzi, Camila Pláate, Laura Paredes, Julieta Cardinali, Luis Machín |
| Streaming Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
Full Plot Synopsis: The Case That Ignited a Nation
Set in the conservative northwestern province of Tucumán in 2014, the film begins with a harrowing, claustrophobic sequence. Julieta (Camila Pláate), a 24-year-old worker from a marginalized background, arrives at a public hospital suffering from severe abdominal pain. Unaware that she is pregnant, she suffers a spontaneous miscarriage in the hospital bathroom.
Rather than receiving medical care, Julieta is met with immediate suspicion. Under a cloud of religious and institutional prejudice, the hospital staff notifies the police. Before she can even recover from her physical trauma, Julieta is handcuffed to her hospital bed and charged with “homicide aggravated by the bond”—a charge essentially equating her miscarriage to premeditated murder.
The story fast-forwards through a two-year period of pre-trial detention, where Julieta is abandoned by a negligent public defender and vilified by the local press. The narrative finds its driving force when Soledad Deza (Dolores Fonzi), a determined human rights lawyer and activist, takes on the case. Deza discovers a legal file riddled with irregularities: missing evidence, a disappeared fetus, and contradictory medical records.
The second half of the film follows the legal team’s uphill battle against a “patriarchal wall” of resistance. As Soledad fights to annul the trial, she realizes that the only way to win is to turn a private tragedy into a public cause. The film masterfully depicts the birth of the “Green Wave” (Marea Verde) movement, showing how the outcry for “Belén” (Julieta’s alias) galvanized thousands of women to take to the streets, eventually changing the history of reproductive rights in Argentina.
Detailed Critique and Analysis
Directorial Vision: Dolores Fonzi
Following her intimate 2023 debut Blondi, Dolores Fonzi shifts gears into the realm of the socio-political thriller. Her direction is marked by a deliberate contrast in style. The early hospital and prison scenes utilize handheld cameras and high-contrast lighting to evoke a sense of “obstetric violence” and systemic suffocation. As the movement grows, the frame widens, capturing the vibrant, percussive energy of the street protests. Fonzi succeeds in making the legal procedural feel as urgent as an action thriller.
Screenplay and Themes
The script, co-written by a team of four, is remarkably focused. It avoids the pitfall of making the story purely about a “white savior” lawyer; instead, it centers on the systemic “weaponized incompetence” of the judiciary. The film explores themes of classism—noting that Julieta’s poverty made her an easy target—and the role of “internalized patriarchy,” where female institutional figures are often the most ruthless toward the protagonist.
Performance Spotlight
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Camila Pláate: In a career-defining performance, Pláate portrays Julieta with “visceral conviction.” She navigates the character’s journey from a terrified victim to a woman reclaiming her dignity with quiet, devastating power. Her performance rightfully earned the Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance at San Sebastián.
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Dolores Fonzi: As Soledad Deza, Fonzi avoids the tropes of the “stoic attorney.” Her Soledad is anxious, deeply devout, and often forced to use “legal chicanery” to bypass a rigged system. It is a grounded, deeply human portrayal of an activist.
Visuals and Sound
Cinematographer Javier Juliá (famed for Argentina, 1985) uses a palette that shifts from the “sickly institutional grays” of the first act to the “defiant greens” of the finale. The score by Marilina Bertoldi provides a steady, rhythmic heartbeat that mirrors the growing momentum of the grassroots movement.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
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Timely Urgency: The film serves as a “utopian resistance” piece during a global period of shifting reproductive rights.
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Exceptional Acting: The lead duo provides the emotional anchor necessary to prevent the film from feeling like a dry legal lecture.
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Historical Accuracy: By collaborating with the real-life subjects, the film maintains a high level of authenticity regarding the case’s legal intricacies.
Weaknesses
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Third-Act Pacing: As the focus shifts from Julieta to the national protest movement, the personal intimacy of the story occasionally takes a backseat to “activist grandiosity.”
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Character Depth: Some supporting characters in the legal team feel slightly one-dimensional, serving more as vehicles for the plot than fully fleshed-out individuals.
Final Verdict: A Modern Classic of Political Cinema
Belén is more than a legal drama; it is a document of a cultural revolution. While it follows the “David vs. Goliath” template of classics like Just Mercy or Argentina, 1985, it infuses the genre with a specifically feminist fury. It is a chilling reminder of the fragility of human rights and an inspiring celebration of what happens when a society refuses to look away.
Final Score: 9/10