A Year Without Love (2005)

Juan Minujín stars in Argentinian filmmaker Anahí Berneri’s 2005 film A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE (Un año sin amor).

Today’s post was written by author/critic Gary Kramer (@garyemkramer on Instagram) - Be sure to follow his Instagram account for fantastic reviews, as well as information on new queer film releases!

Based on the published diaries of Pablo Pérez, A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE is an absolutely riveting drama about an HIV-positive young man (Juan Minujín) who becomes involved in the S&M scene in Buenos Aires.

What makes co-writer/director Anahí Berneri’s film so compelling—and so moving—is the absolute humanity of the main character. He is the gay everyman—someone looking for love and acceptance, but also insecure and stubborn. Minujín is fearless in his role, particularly during the kinky sex scenes, yet credit is also due to Berneri, who films the f-ck-ng as artfully as she does an AIDS cocktail pill dissolving in a glass of water. The film is so mesmerizing that it yields an almost unexpected power and poignancy that resonates long after the credits role. This is a fantastic, penetrating piece of cinema, and while perhaps difficult for some to watch, extremely rewarding nonetheless.             

A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE

(Un año sin amor)

2005. Argentina.

Director: Anahí Berneri

Screenplay: Anahi Berneri & Pablo Pérez

Starring: Juan Minujín, Mimí Ardú, Javier van de Couter, Carlos Echevarría, Bárbara Lombardo, Osmar Núñez, Ricardo Merkin, Carlos Portaluppi, Ricardo Moriello and Juan Carlos Ricci 

A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE isn’t widely streaming at the moment, though it is available on DVD.