Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: AZOR [Berlinale 2021 - Virtual]

The texture of power against a backdrop of corruption is usually a basis that ends in violence. The interesting thing about "Azor" [Encounters] is that it shows corruption plagued and presented with a smile and back room dealings that make everything look peachy on the outside while the inside is crumbling. The film follows a Swiss banker named Yvan coming to Argentina to try to clean up a mess that his former partner (who has disappeared) created. It is an interesting construct which constantly talks about playing in rumors. And none of the people in power betray the inner circle, hence "azor" which one character does define at one point as staying quiet and riding the wave, either up or down. Yvan tries too play the game with a style moving from baron to magnate to land owner seemingly becoming more and more out of his depth as he goes along. He is placated with wine and race courses and yet tries to stay on the straight and narrow. The score at times belies the heart of darkness that seemingly is coming Yvan's way. But even when this happens in a certain way, there is a sense of brightness which is even more disconcerting. However it does point to a line being crossed.

Yvan's wife interacts with the ladies of the house, many of which control the money. She reports back to her husband and her instincts are right though she too is working the game but trying to stay on the right side of integrity. Even the church, through the controlling interest of a monsignor (who interestingly enough speaks of greed), has a stake. There is a coven like feeling to this circle of power. But many of the men are listless without a women's intuition to keep them balanced. The wives may be there but they are out of ear's reach. Yvan retains his integrity but when choices come to bear, it is interesting too see the visual cues that speak to an underlying problem and temptation however subtle. "Azor" is a interesting, glossy but not overproduced perception of the upper class operating in Argentina, many hiding their money, hence the Swiss connection. But in a country with a history of the working class versus the elite (see "Evita") the overarching tExture belies a story of a society crumbling yet not knowing it because the anchors at the top are hoarding it all hoping everything will all work out. Sounds eerily familiar...and not in a good way. B

By Tim Wassberg