A man falsely accused of being a terrorist is ar rested, thrown into a secret prison and tortured. No, these events – which unfold in “Chronicle of an Escape” – aren’t happening in 2007. They’re transpiring in Argentina in 1977, a year after the military seized control of that country.
Claudio is an average young man who, without warning or reason, is seized by government thugs. “Involved in heavy s – – t?” one rifle-toting agent demands. “No, sir. I’m a goalkeeper,” Claudio responds.
He’s telling the truth, but his tormentors don’t care.
Under the direction of Uruguay-born Israel Adrian Caetano, “Chronicle of an Escape” details, day by day, the living hell endured by Claudio (a credible Rodrigo De La Serna of “The Motorcycle Diaries”) and other men, some of whom really are terrorists.
Thankfully, Caetano goes easy on graphic scenes of torture, choosing to concentrate on the battle of wits between prisoners and captors. Finally, naked, cuffed to their cots and facing certain death, Claudio and three others decide to make a dash for freedom.
From 1973 to 1983, as many as 30,000 Argentines simply disappeared from the face of the earth, courtesy of the government. It would take years, but the generals were finally brought to trial.
“Chronicle of an Escape” is based on testimony by several victims. This film is both a warning about abuse of government power and a reassurance that justice will sometimes triumph.
CHRONICLE OF AN ESCAPE
In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 104 minutes. Not rated (torture, nudity). At the IFC Center, Sixth Avenue and Third Street.
vam@nypost.com