Rodrigo Moreno revealed that the genesis of “The Delinquents” dates back to many years and numerous films. In a video call from Los Angeles, the Argentine director explained, “The story began when I was invited to remake ‘Hardly a Criminal,’ an old Argentine film from the 40s directed by Hugo Fregonese.” At that time, Moreno had only directed two films. “The Delinquents” now stands as his seventh film.
Despite the opportunity, Moreno faced a dilemma with the film’s theme. He elaborated, stating, “The original film revolved around a man aspiring to steal money from his employer to live a lavish lifestyle. Given my disinterest in wealth and opulence, I turned down the project.” However, this rejection sowed the seed for a remake in Moreno’s mind. He expressed his fascination with delving into the traditional and classic era of Argentine cinema.
Two-headed monster
Returning to the project, Moreno introduced a significant twist. He explained, “I changed the character’s objective from one goal to two, like a monster with two heads.” Daniel Elías portrays Morán, the bank clerk who decides to steal double the amount he would accrue working until retirement. In a unique approach, Morán instructs his colleague Román, played by Esteban Bigliardi, to safeguard the pilfered money while he willingly surrenders himself to serve the jail sentence.
According to Moreno, Morán’s motivation lies in his fascination with time, not wealth. “He perceives work as something that consumes his life. In a world where work holds a central role in our lives, I aimed to create a film about someone yearning to break free from that paradigm.”
Long-form storytelling
The film’s duration, spanning 180 minutes, has sparked commentary. Moreno addresses this by stating, “It is shorter than, for example, Avatar, and also briefer than some Marvel movies. As a parent who goes to the movies with my two kids, I find myself spending three-and-a-half hours watching digital fights. So, why can’t my movie last three hours?”
For Moreno, the extended duration is justified by the narrative’s demands. He explains, “The question is what the film communicates in those three hours. The length is not arbitrary. In the initial part of the film, I took the time to portray the intricacies of the money heist, the bank routine, and the investigative process. This deliberate pacing allows me to provide ample time to develop the secondary characters.”
Chosen as the Argentine entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars
In the second part, Moreno emphasizes the theme of freedom. He elaborates, saying, “The focus is on what the character experiences when utilizing time productively versus non-productively. This concept guided me to create a non-productive film. The second part is designed to prepare the audience for the pleasure of a life free from the pressures of routine.”
Despite not making the shortlist, “The Delinquents” was selected as the Argentine entry for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Moreno reflects on this, stating, “It’s an honor because my colleagues chose the film to represent Argentina at the Oscars, and it comes with a responsibility due to Argentina’s robust film tradition. And, perhaps foremost, it’s a significant misunderstanding!” (laughs)
Described by Moreno as a genre-defying film, “The Delinquents” is characterized as many films in one. Moreno clarifies, “It transcends being just a heist film or an existential one, a love story, a Western, or a comedy. ‘The Delinquents’ draws inspiration from all these genres to craft one extensive film and one overarching story.”
On his casting for the film
The cast, according to Moreno, consists of actors he has collaborated with in the past. He explains, “Esteban Bigliardi, portraying Román, was the lead in ‘A Mysterious World’ (nominated for the Golden Bear at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival in 2011) and ‘Reimon’ (2012). Germán de Silva, taking on the roles of the bank manager, Del Toro, and the prison leader, Garrincha, is also someone I have worked with extensively. Daniel Elías, portraying Morán, is a newcomer and a wonderful individual.”
Moreno’s casting approach is distinctive. He shares, “I seek to understand the actors as individuals rather than just performers. I draw from their personal qualities during the mise en scene. A film serves as a documentary of the actors. When you watch a film, you also perceive the individuals behind the characters. That’s the cinematic power, perpetually capturing the present. Cinema functions as a documentary, irrespective of whether it is fiction or non-fiction, an essay, or experimental.”
