Veronico Cruz

Originally titled La Deuda Interna, the Argentine/British Veronico Cruz is set during the 1982 war in the Falkland Islands. The title character, played by Gonzalos Morales, is a dirt-poor shepherd boy who idolizes his spiritual mentor, schoolteacher Juan Jose Camero. As Veronico Cruz learns about the outside world from Camero, so too does Camero come to understand and appreciate the history and people of Argentina. The warm relationship between the teacher (known as “Maestro”) and pupil is irreparably damaged when Argentine troops-Veronico included—invade the Falklands, sparking the aforementioned conflict. Based on a book by Fortunato Ramos, Veronico Cruz is a remarkable first effort by director Miguel Pereira. The film has also been released as The Debt.