The term Argentine sex comedy (Spanish:Comedia picaresca) refers to sexual comedy films that have been filmed in Argentina. The genre gained popularity in Argentina, particularly during and after the era of the country's military junta's regime and censorship ended with a permanent return to democracy in 1983. Among the popular actors who participated in these films were, initially, Jorge Porcel and Alberto Olmedo, who formed a popular acting duo in the 1970s and 1980s, until Olmedo's death on March 5, 1988.[1]

History

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1963's "la cigarra no es un bicho" ("The Cicala is not a Bug") is often credited as the first Argentine comedy film with sex as a central plot element.[2]

Aries Cinematográfica Argentina started producing sex comedies in 1965; the production company later proved instrumental in developing the genre in the South American country.[3] Their first sex comedy was 1966's "Hotel alojamiento" ("Hotel Stay"), directed by Fernando Ayala.

The sex comedy film industry in Argentina gained steam early in the 1970s. In fact, some of the early Argentine sex comedies were financed by the military government themselves, since they realized these popular films were good business for them as the public would go watch the movies, making them money.[4]

1979's "Encuentros muy cercanos con señoras de cualquier tipo" ("Close Encounters with any Kind of Ladies", a comedy whose title spoofs the sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind) was another popular Argentine sex comedy. It starred Olmedo, Porcel Moria Casan and Adriana Aguirre.

During the 1980s, Olmedo and Porcel, along with Susana Gimenez and Casan, for example, collaborated frequently in these types of films. Movies where these and other actors participated were popular in Argentina and other Latin markets, such as Puerto Rico and Spain, for example.

 
Alberto Olmedo (far left), Susana Gimenez (middle left), Moria Casan (middle right) and Jorge Porcel (far right) in a publicity still for the 1980 Argentine sex comedy film A los cirujanos se les va la mano

Towards the end of the 1980s, many of these films were recorded exclusively for the Argentine straight-to-video rental market.[5]

More modern stars who have participated in this genre in Argentina include Ana Katz.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ García, Por Santiago (November 2, 2021). "Atracción peculiar: la película final de Alberto Olmedo que anticipó su muerte". infobae.
  2. ^ Clarín, Redacción (January 28, 1998). "Vuelvo a reir, vuelvo a mirar". Clarín.
  3. ^ "Cuarenta años de películas". LA NACION. July 26, 1996.
  4. ^ Jóvenes en cuestión: Configuraciones de género y sexualidad en la cultura. Editorial Biblos. January 1, 2011. ISBN 978-987-691-096-5 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Fidanza, Fabio Nicolás (December 30, 2020). "Risas en la comodidad del hogar. Un análisis de las comedias para adultos realizadas para el mercado del video hogareño en Argentina hacia fines de la década de 1980 y comienzos de 1990". EU-topías. Revista de interculturalidad, comunicación y estudios europeos. 20: 107–118. doi:10.7203/eutopias.20.19392 – via revistas.uv.es.
  6. ^ "El sexo en tono de comedia llega al cine con una impronta argentina". La Capital.