Buenos Aires: A Historic Celebration

Buenos Aires: A Historic Celebration is a documentary short by Infobae that offers a unique look at the heart of the city swarmed by Argentines taking part in the 2022 football world cup victory festivities.

In line with the documentary nature of early film history and the city symphony film genre of 1920s-30s, the short places a focus on urban staging and its inhabitants. The short also offers an interesting paradox: it features one main character, Lionel Messi, who is at the same time omnipresent (in t-shirts people wear, the songs they sing, etc.) and physically absent (along with a number of secondary characters, his teammates and manager Lionel Scaloni). The crowd itself is the visible actor. A non-narrative approach is employed with no conflicts. In order to hook the viewer, camera moves, varying playback speed, music, sound design and editing are employed to produce contrast, change and visual rhythm, together with striking visuals that help grab viewers’ attention.

A singular celebration event offers a portrait of the wonderful city of Buenos Aires and its people (known as “porteños”), which shows the healthy ambition of the country in its architecture, the emphasis on aesthetics (right from the opening titles), creativity, culture, drive for excellence, the warmth, passion and emotional nature of its population and a contagious ability to enjoy life. Many traits inherited from Italy that seemingly make this city a modern branch of the Roman Empire. A society where affection is prevalent and loneliness is almost non-existent, compared to many other countries.

From a sociological point of view the event is an interesting example of collective effervescence, a concept developed by sociologist Émile Durkheim that describes a situation in which a society simultaneously participates in the same actions and thoughts, temporarily dissolving individual identities and strengthening a collective one.

What makes the short work so well? Impressive visuals, great editing and sound design that successfully transmit the joy of the people and the warmth of a society that embraces those who visit it (it’s the home of tango for good reason), and a portrait of one of the most wonderful cities in the world.