Review of El rufián

Here's another hidden gem in film noir from Argentina. The great director of photography John Alton developped movie studios in Argentina in the 30's, and some talented directors emerged : Carlos Hugo Christensen, Luis Saslavsky, ... and Daniel Tinayre, who was a native french. Daniel Tinayre directed a few talented movies, and this rare "El Rufiàn" is an outstanding masterpiece of film noir directed in 1961, with scenes that couldn't have been shot in France, England or United States. In fact, "El Rufiàn" completely explodes all film noir codes, pushing the limits with never seen sequences. The casting is exceptional, first with Egle Martin as the anguishing amnesic pretty young woman, purchased by wild lover Carlos Estrada. No need to say, direction and cinematography are virtuoso. Now again, how can such a masterpiece be forgotten and being only available on youtube in a poor print (damaged music score, but thanks for having this only print). A must for noir fans (like many more movies from Argentina).