Das Autogramm (1984)

Somewhere in Latin America in the early 1980s, when the subcontinent was almost entirely ruled by brutal military dictatorships. In an unnamed country, Daniel, a white bandoneon player and singer, and Tony, a Black boxer, meet in a small provincial town called Flores. Though neither has previously been politically active, they become pawns of the ruling junta. The two young men are forced to perform at a popular festival organized by the military. But, over a trivial matter, the performance does not take place. The popular singer is asked to give autographs to interested soldiers. Daniel, however, never gives autographs—not even to the military representatives of the state authorities. As a result, both he and, unexpectedly, Tony come under the scrutiny of those in power. From the locals, Daniel learns about the military’s brutal crimes and torture, and can no longer avoid reflecting on the political system to which he, too, is subject. Tony, meanwhile, falls in love with a lawyer’s daughter, but has to keep their love hidden from the public. Events take a dangerous turn when Daniel, outraged by the military’s actions because of what he has newly learned, gets into an argument with a civilian government official. But it is boxer Tony who has to bear the consequences, having rushed to Daniel’s aid and badly injured his hand in the process. A junta officer then challenges him to a boxing match, which, under these circumstances, the professional cannot win. Despite this, Tony naively believes that the fight in the ring will be fair. He is wrong. His newly formed friendship with Daniel releases unsuspected strength in Tony, while also conveying a political statement.