Así habló el cambista

  • 97'
  • Uruguay
  • 2019

In the prologue to Así habló el cambista ('thus spake the money changer'), we see how Jesus went to Jerusalem to throw the traders and money changers out of the Temple, which they had transformed into a den of thieves. "Jesus knew what he was doing", says money changer Humberto Brause (beautifully played by Daniel Hendler) in voice-over, more chirpy than guilty. "Bankers are the root of all evil. We are responsible for everything rotten in the world."

What follows is a cleareyed report on Brause's business dealings, set in and around Montevideo in 1975, 1956, 1962 and 1966, when military dictatorships and/or corrupt regimes held sway in South America. Once Brause has dirtied his hands to finance his life of luxury, there's no going back.

Así habló el cambista combines clinically directed family drama, black comedy and thriller elements. The camerawork and art direction contribute to the macabre atmosphere of this Uruguayan entry for the Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Film.

Director
Federico Veiroj
Countries of production
Uruguay, Argentina
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2020
Length
97'
Medium
DCP
International title
The Moneychanger
Language
Spanish
Producers
Charly Gutiérrez, Diego Robino, Santiago López
Production Companies
Oriental Films, Rizoma Films
Sales
Film Factory Entertainment
Screenplay
Arauco Hernández, Martín Mauregui, Federico Veiroj
Cinematography
Arauco Hernández
Editor
Fernando Franco, Fernando Epstein
Production Design
Pablo Maestre Galli
Music
Hernán Segret
Cast
Daniel Hendler, Dolores Fonzi, Luis Machín, Benjamín Vicuña, German de Silva, Paulo Betti, Marco Valls
Director
Federico Veiroj
Countries of production
Uruguay, Argentina
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2020
Length
97'
Medium
DCP
International title
The Moneychanger
Language
Spanish
Producers
Charly Gutiérrez, Diego Robino, Santiago López
Production Companies
Oriental Films, Rizoma Films
Sales
Film Factory Entertainment
Screenplay
Arauco Hernández, Martín Mauregui, Federico Veiroj
Cinematography
Arauco Hernández
Editor
Fernando Franco, Fernando Epstein
Production Design
Pablo Maestre Galli
Music
Hernán Segret
Cast
Daniel Hendler, Dolores Fonzi, Luis Machín, Benjamín Vicuña, German de Silva, Paulo Betti, Marco Valls