Invasion (Invasión)

In 1978, during the military dictatorship in Argentina,

eight reels of the original negatives from Invasión, shot in 1969,

were stolen from Alex Laboratories in Buenos Aires.

After twenty one years of blockade, the effort and kindness

of Pierre-André Boutang and other friends, in France and Argentina,

allowed composing a new complete negative print of the film.

The sources for this print were four original negative reels,

and eight internegative reels,

obtained from the combination of two old 35 mm positive prints.

This is a first restoration, achieved in 1999 thanks to the technicians

at L.T.C. Laboratory,

to those at Desmarquest Studios for the treatment of the sound mix,

to Ricardo Aronovich, original director of photography,

and to Hubert Niogret, who was in charge of the production.

To them all, our gratitude. The authors.

(Southern Frontier

I'II let them know at the café where to deliver the shipment.

invasion

It looks like we'll win the championship on Sunday.

It'll depend on the referees, as usual.

Come on. Our forwards will crush them.

This is the team to pick. Bramante knows his stuff.

Right. Here's a picture of him.

What a sight for sore eyes!

I wonder why my lumbago is so fond of me.

Don Porfirio, you old-timer, what's your prediction for Sunday?

I don't know. Whatever you want.

Here's your maté. Some sugar?

It looks like you need it.

Don't bother, Don Jesús. I'm used to bitterness by now.

Come on, you've got no faith.

Thank God in soccer we're number one.

Well, that's something. I hope you're right.

That goes without saying!

You'II have to excuse me, I'm in a bit of a hurry.

Wenceslao N., you'II have to excuse me.

I'm in a bit of a hurry.

...all these years getting ready. Now they're on the move.

- Today's the day. - Good.

One gets sick of waiting. I'II be right over.

Anything wrong?

Don't take my absences so seriously, señora.

I'II tell you a secret. I like to play the game of mysteries.

Yes. I already know it's a game.

You'II see, I won't be long.

Hello.

Don't worry, Don Porfirio, I'II be there.

If my wife calls, I'm out giving a shot.

An advance group will be sent out into the city.

They'll receive orders in this café by the docks.

Want me to stop them?

Not there. Don't show up at the café.

Go straight to the freight yard.

There, the advance group meets the waiting truck.

But you'II be there before them.

Not alone, understand?

Take Irala and Silva. Vildrac will be along too.

I've phoned him at the drugstore.

Destroy the truck. That's all. No chase, no fight, nothing.

Don't worry about a thing.

Lebendiger...

Herrera, is all this clear?

Wait at the freight yard. Don't go to the café.

Weren't we told to go to the northern freight car yard?

Yes.

Then what are we doing here?

I wonder if they are as tough as they say.

Why worry? We'll send them running!

Pretty sleepy, Dr Silva. Why don't you get some rest?

Nothing will happen here.

Anyway, Irala is a tiger. He'II take care of me.

Right, Irala?

Okay, okay. I'll take a little nap.

May I give you some advice?

Advice is cheap.

If you've got nothing to do, do it somewhere else.

What is it, Irala? Your toothache again?

Hey, watch out. Be careful of drafts.

Two shots, and quick!

Move over.

You must know where the freight yards are.

- Maybe. - Will you tell me then?

It's a little complicated.

They are on the Northern Border.

Follow the old cattle trail to the second crossing.

Then turn left, and left again.

Then a right as far as the brick wall.

- Then it gets more complicated. - In that case, better come and show us.

Irala!

Get in. You'II be comfortable next to me.

That's a good plan. Bring them and let them see.

- lf you do it, they'll be convinced. - Why, are you afraid? Poor things.

Our orders are not to move yet, Irene.

It was you who brought the order.

Good afternoon. I'm a tourist. Tourist, foreigner.

Very interested in this, in my country.

- I was told one can visit here. - Certainly, miss.

Are you afraid, Mr Wenceslao?

I think you're right. Anyone would be afraid.

The simplest fear: Fear they'll hit hard.

That kind of fear makes you forget everything.

Even forget that they are out there

and that they'II come

knocking,

if no one

stands up to them.

Where have you taken us, my friend?

I didn't know there was a detour.

- I'll ask the way in that store. - Go with him.

- Knock harder. - You're right.

Northern Frontier

- Where have you been? And the others? - The truck arrived?

Don Porfirio had some cattlemen stall it.

Good thing.

Irala disappeared. I was hoping he'd be with you.

The poor guy has good intentions.

But when the time comes...

I saw Irene on the street this morning.

- And? - Nothing. That's all.

- What kept you so long? - Some cows were blocking the road.

- It's getting late. - We're ready.

Take the car and we'll follow you.

I need this scooter. You need 5000 pesos.

Just renting. Get off.

Don't worry, he'II bring it back.

What are those guys up to?

Be patient. It'II ring again.

Herrera! So you had to get into some shooting!

Yes, yes. I'II take care of it.

So what? Trucks aren't the only thing they'll bring.

Vildrac has located the truck with the load.

It's out at Villa Los Laureles.

It must be destroyed, no matter what. No later than tonight.

You should know why. Right?

That's it. I need time, Herrera.

Wenceslao N., another sleepless night for us.

I've been waiting. Why didn't you go? And the others?

Nobody showed up. Nobody. I told you, didn't I?

Now who'II believe us? Nobody was there, Irene.

That's enough.

I'II check up. You go back...

- Who was that guy? - I don't know.

He was asking for directions.

I'm taking the bus.

You didn't show up last night.

I was busy. A job. I thought that now...

A friend of mine got sick.

And since I thought you weren't coming...

Yesterday you were out all afternoon.

I went for a walk. I hate just waiting.

I'II be back early.

- Will I see you later? - Well, no, I can't.

- Tonight there's a... - Fine.

Here's my bus.

Someone said we'd better leave now, before it starts raining.

What can we do? They have their men all over.

Had to lie to my wife again, damn it.

I lie to women when they scare me.

Watch out. I think I hear a guitar.

Now Silva won't spare us that "Milonga de Flores" of his.

- What a surprise! - We thought you weren't coming.

Don't be suspicious. Tonight I'll be faithful to you.

Friendship is so much more lucid a passion than love.

Here I am.

For the others the fever

And the sweat of the agony

And for me, four bullets

When daylight comes

Manuel Flores is going to die

That's something for sure

Dying is a habit

That most people have

Tomorrow the bullet's coming

And with the bullet, oblivion

So said Merlin the sage

To die is to have been born

And yet it pains me

To bid farewell to life

This thing one gets so used to

So sweet, and so familiar

At dawn I see my hand

I see my veins in my hand

I look at them oddly

As if they were someone else's

How many things on their way

These eyes of mine have seen!

Who knows what they will see

After Christ has judged me

For the others the fever

And the sweat of the agony

And for me, four bullets

When daylight comes

Before you get completely drunk, doctor, go and scout the villa.

Thanks. Now let someone really play it.

The truck is out at Villa Los Laureles.

It has to be destroyed before daybreak, understand?

The other trucks are important too.

But this one's carrying the radio equipment the invaders need.

By destroying it, their attack will be delayed.

That'll buy Don Porfirio some time.