Whisky Romeo Zulú (2005)

I think there's something very beautiful in making true declarations but in a way of a movie with a story and not precisely a documentary. "Fast Food Nation" is a perfect example, but it's from the United States. Enrique Piñeyro's "Whisky Romeo Zulu" is from my own Argentina, and it's a piece of the bravest and most encouraging nature.See, Piñeyro was a pilot working for an Argentinean flight company. This company had problems with safety: they didn't check their planes correctly; they didn't give enough vacations to their pilots and many other things we discover through Piñeyro's eyes that, if you are Argentinean, you'll probably recognize. This is a story of popular knowledge in my country, but it was never viewed from this perspective: from the inside; from the guy who warned the tragedy.Piñeyro got suspended and what he loved the most was taken away from him: flying. How he shows this in the film, how he places every character with an immense degree of reality is what's brave about the film; how his camera shoots the sky and the clouds (clear and peaceful, with love) is what's beautiful about his decision of using cinema to express his feelings.There are details of his work that are worth analyzing. His screenplay for example…It has him as the main character, as himself, but it's so wonderfully crafted that we never get to listen to his real name, because he's always called by his rank or by people who already know him in the story and don't need to call him by name.A special mention has to go to the technical team, led by assistant director Emiliano Torres. He and all the rest are well recognized professionals of their field, not only in Argentina but internationally.In terms of performances, the film's cast includes big important national stars, respected actors. It is sort of a 'dream cast', but to describe them individually does no good with a film like this. The only crucial performance in "Whisky Romeo Zulu" is Piñeyro's…His character and he are the same person, but is he emphasizing this in his performances? I can't tell, but his work is the most natural I've seen this year.Well, maybe there's another crucial performance in the film, played by the always superb Mercedes Morán. But her role is so unexpected and part of a romantic subplot that's so well placed in the film's plot line, that telling anything about it would be a sin.

Although I give the director (and lead actor) Enrique Pineyro some creative license to include a "love interest," this is an engrossing and shocking film that exposes a real airline run by the Argentine air force (LAPA, and thank god they are no longer around) that sacrifices safety in order to save money and look good. The result of their mismanagement and flagrant disregard for safety, maintenance, and their pilots themselves was the fatal crash in 1999 on a street just a few feet from the downtown Buenos Aires airport. Filmed realistically on location, the film tells the story of a "whistle-blower" pilot (played by Pineyro himself, who was actually once a LAPA pilot)who won't compromise on safety but it mortified by what he is told to do and cover up. Pineyro's second film, "Fuerza Aerea S.A." (which I saw yesterday) is a sort of a sequel, but a documentary that deals with the problem of the air force overseeing civil aviation in Argentina. Both films have caused quite a stir and is equally chilling. Last night I read that this is being changed, directly because of Pineyro's film. Both are well worth watching, but unfortunately not released in the US yet. Highly recommended.

First, sorry for my poor English, as it is not my native language. The movie is a rare gem in Argentine filmography. Thrillers, action and movies that are mainly on complex machines are not typically filmed or produced by Latin American countries, even when the subject of the movie may have taken place in these latitudes (Alive! was filmed by Canadians in Canada on an epic true story that took place in the Argentinian-Chilean Andes). So, this is a denounce of the epidemic corruption in the Argentina of the 90', told by the man that plays as himself and revives for us some of the same ordeals he lived in real life when he was an airline captain. THIS is the unique thing about this movie. It is very well done, and as pilot, I can tell that the technical side is perfect. No cheap or even expensive mock ups. All is real. The simulator sessions are simulator sessions, and the airborne scenes are filmed during real flying in the cockpit (except a passenger cabin short scene, that I read was filmed in a crew training mock up). Excellent photography that immerse the spectator in places that earth bound mortals do not usually visit. No wonder why this movie won so many prizes: apart from the political and critical intentions, it is a good example that excellent products of this kind can be made without zillions.

General Impressions: "Whisky Romeo Zulu" is a most unusual and interesting film. Based on true events, it was directed and acted out by the very man who went through the real experiences portrayed in the film. The film demonstrates a director with absolute and total control over his storyline and camera. The camera-work and script are impeccable, the acting and dialogue superb. Expertly paced by its director, the film is a beautiful and terrible ode to the difficulty of ethical professionalism in a third world capitalistic society like that of Argentina. The pace is deliberately slow and very effective. The tension in the storyline builds progressively and evenly as character development happens, all in a very naturalistic way. We are brought into the "pilot's world". We experience what the central character experiences in a very voyeuristic way. This is extremely effective to build pathos and in the end we can't help but identify with the main character's conflict. This reviewer was blown out of the water by this incredible film. Four stars in my book. One of the best films I have seen in 2004. The Story: Enrique Piñeyro plays a pilot for a discount Argentinean carrier who, due to the pressures of capitalistic expansion, constantly flies unsafe passenger planes that violate flight regulations. Upon being promoted to full captain, Piñeyro begins head on collisions with these risky practices and those who let them take place. He stands by his convictions that unsafe planes shouldn't be flown, that people's lives shouldn't be gambled with. The company's management, irked by this sharp troublemaker, begins pressuring him to go along with the illegal practices. They use coercion and pressure at first and later move up their tactics to long suspensions and the threat of dismissal. On a parallel to Piñeyro's story is the story of a federal investigator heading a very serious investigation into the root problems of the aviation industry in Argentina. Somewhere along the plot the viewer notices that a sharp insider like Piñeyro would be the ideal witness this investigator needs to bring about an effective case against the cronyism and illegal practices plaguing the industry. This indeed happens and all hell breaks loose for LAPA airlines. This is an extremely interesting and naturalistic thriller that is both a celebration of good professionalism and a beautiful homage to the life of an airplane pilot.Notes on acting and technique: The ensemble of actors in this film is 100%. The best I have seen so far this year. Another feat of this film is that every actor looks the part he or she plays. Nobody has more glamor than they should have. You buy everyone's performance. Piñeyro is excellent as the conflicted central character. He is the definition of cool control and quiet suffering. His friend and co-pilot "Gordo" is very good as well, as is the woman and the investigator. In fact, this may be one of the best casting jobs in a film I have ever seen. Everybody fits their parts incredibly well and snugly. Furthermore, the technique isn't in your face. It is extremely calculated and very effective. This director knows how to use his camera.Moral Values and Age Restrictions: Film tackles head on the dangers of unmitigated capitalism and how rules must be in place to harness the impetus to make capital the most important guiding principle of our lives. The film offers a humanistic central character, one with principles that he considers more important than maximum profit. Safety, not gambling with people's lives as a cost-cutting measure, is the most important thing for him. Given the environment in which he lives, things become hard for him. Yet, the film is a victory of his moral values as the company is eventually brought down by him and the government investigator. This is a singular story as it portrays a struggle that sealed the director's fate as the pilot whom he portrays in the film. He probably doesn't have another story like this in his life to make a film about. This may very well be his "Citizen Kane" as it is his first directorial effort and it will be one difficult to top off. I can't recommend this film enough!!!