WHISKY ROMEO ZULU

The film narrates the previous story of the Lapa 737 Boeing accident which took place on August 31, 1999. The aircraft got on fire after crashing against an embankment and causing the death of 67 people. Directed and starred by a former pilot of that company, the film reveals a complex story of complicities between the Air Force and the company to evade safety controls and so profit from such operations.

The childhood dreams of the protagonist of being a pilot (an air-force pilot) in Argentina, hits against a very different reality; a reality far distant from the one he had imagined. His persistent conflict lies on dealing with the compliance of safety regulations and, at the same time, with the pressure made by his superiors, so as to keep his job.

A federal prosecutor investigates the accident, despite suffering continuous threats and attacks, convinced of the fact that a tragedy of such magnitude cannot just be attributed to a mere pilot’s mistake. He finally manages to get not only the company senior management into criminal trial, but also the air-force authorities. This has set the first precedent within commercial aviation history.

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MOTIVATION

This movie shows how dreams sometimes collide with reality and the legal action against airlines’ negligent actions.

IMPACT

NASA and organizations alike invited Enrique Piñeyro as a referent regarding aviation and air-force security.

CAST

  • Mercedes Morán
  • Alejandro Awada
  • Enrique Piñeyro
  • Adolfo Yanelli
  • Carlos Portaluppi
  • Martín Slipak
  • Sergio Boris

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

  • Director/Producer: Enrique Piñeyro
  • Executive production: Verónica Cura
  • Script: Enrique Piñeyro
  • Photography: Ramido Civita
  • Art Direction: Cristina Nigro
  • Montage: Jacopo Quadri
  • Sound: Marcos de Aguirre
  • Costume design: Ruth Fischerman

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

  • International Film Festival on Human Rights (2011).
  • Providence Latin American Film Festival, EEUU (2006).
  • “Fernando Birri” Award to Best Opera Prima, Best Script and Best Sound.
  • Cinesul 2005. Latinamerican Cinema and Video Festival, Brasil – Special Mention from the Jury.
  • Specialized Critics Award – Best Movie.
  • Latinamerican Cinema Festival Lleida, España – Best Director Award to Enrique Piñeyro (2005).
  • Biarritz Festival, France – “Sol de Oro” Award. Best Film (2004)
  • Premio “Sol de Oro” Mejor Película (2004);