Still from Cortázar & Antín: Cartas iluminadas by Cinthia Rajschmir
Filmmaker, screenwriter, playwright, government official, poet, and visionary leader Manuel Antín passed away on Thursday, September 5, at the age of 98. He was a beacon and towering figure in the history of Argentine cinema, playing numerous roles throughout his career, illuminating the path for future generations with his visionary filmmaking and dedication to fostering new talent. Antín left an indelible mark on Argentina’s cultural landscape through his acclaimed films, leadership in revitalizing national cinema, and the founding of the influential Universidad del Cine (FUC).
Born on February 27, 1926, in Las Palmas, Chaco, Antín rose to prominence in the 1960s with a celebrated trilogy of films adapted from the works of acclaimed writer Julio Cortázar, including La cifra impar (1962), Circe (1964), and Intimidad de los parques (1965). His ability to translate the complexities of Cortázar's literary world into cinema was marked by unique sensitivity, making Antín one of the most distinctive voices in Latin American filmmaking. His collaborations with Cortázar—conducted through letters and recordings while the author lived in France—were a testament to the mutual respect between the two artists and the intellectual depth of their partnership.
Antín competed twice in the Cannes Palme d’Or official selection: in 1963 with The Venerable Ones (Los venerables todos), based on his own novel, and in 1970 with Don Segundo Sombra. In total, he directed 12 feature films, with his last being La invitación in 1982.
In December 1983, during the presidency of Raúl Alfonsín at the dawn of Argentina’s return to democracy, Antín was appointed director of the Instituto Nacional de Cinematografía (INCAA). He played a key role in dismantling the censorship apparatus that had stifled creative freedom during the military dictatorship. His leadership allowed Argentine filmmakers to explore new artistic frontiers without fear of repression, contributing to the revitalization of national cinema.
In 1991, Antín further cemented his legacy by founding the Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires, an institution that became a cornerstone of Argentine film education. Through this initiative, he nurtured a new generation of talent, turning the FUC into a vibrant hub for cinematic innovation and a haven for young filmmakers. Many of Argentina and South America’s key filmmakers studied at the school, including Santiago Mitre, Matías Piñeiro, Ana Katz, Damián Szifrón, Pablo Trapero, Laura Citarella, Lisandro Alonso, Rodrigo Moreno, Mariano Llinás, Andy Muschietti, Celina Murga, Albertina Carri, Kiro Russo, and Paz Encina.
Antín's influence extended far beyond the screen. He was also a novelist, poet, and playwright, with a profound understanding of the arts that informed every aspect of his work. His multifaceted contributions to Argentine culture were recognized throughout his lifetime, including his membership in the Academia de las Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas de la Argentina.
In 2011, Antín received the Silver Condor Award for Lifetime Achievement, given by the Argentine Film Critics Association, and in July 2018, he was honored for his career as a filmmaker by the Argentine Directors Association (DAC) on its 60th anniversary. He was married to costume and set designer Ponchi Morpurgo, who died in February 2022, at the age of 89. Antín is survived by his children María Marta and Juan.
