The 62nd Essay: Heroic Losers (2019, Argentina)
Updated: Aug 29
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The Argentine film Heroic Losers tells the story of a man who loses both his fortune and his beloved wife in the wake of a financial crisis, then rises to reclaim the dream he had lost with the help of his friends. Set against the backdrop of Argentina’s 2001 financial crisis, the film depicts the efforts of people who have fallen victim to fraud as they struggle to rebuild their lives.
Deceived through an elaborate scheme involving a bank manager and a lawyer, the protagonist loses everything. Yet even in the depths of despair, he and his friends refuse to abandon their dream of rebuilding an agricultural facility.
In Aesop’s fable “Horkos,” the god of justice punishes those who commit wrongdoing, appearing at a time they least expect. Likewise, this film portrays people who pool their wisdom and stand together in solidarity to take back what has been stolen from them.
The film also touches on Aristotle’s idea that wealth, love, and honor are the conditions of happiness. It invites us to reflect on what happiness truly means and what sustains us when we face difficult times.
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