Clandestine Childhood

Juan lives in clandestinity. Just like his mum, his dad and his adored uncle Beto, outside his home he has another name. At school, Juan is known as Ernesto. And he meets María, who only has one name. Based on true events, set in the Argentina of 1979, this film is one about love.

Critics broadly recognized the film's emotionally charged political coming-of-age perspective, though the limited aggregate scores indicate a divided response.

• Juan is known as Ernesto at school while living under an assumed identity with his family.
• School, friendship, and first love are constantly constrained by the family's clandestine political existence in 1979 Argentina.
• Juan's relationship with María is presented as an experience of love amid secrecy and state repression.
• Juan navigates school and family clandestinity while the larger political threat remains only partially comprehensible to him.

• The Year My Parents Went on Vacationcoming-of-age drama shaped by political repression, family secrecy, and tender first love
• Machucapolitical persecution intersecting with childhood innocence, family trauma, and historical memory
• A World Apartintimate historical drama about adolescence, clandestine identities, and authoritarian violence

Director

Benjamín Ávila

Release Date

2012-09-16

Runtime

112 min

Rating

6.9 / 10 (64)

What is Clandestine Childhood about?

A clandestine Argentine family tries to preserve a boy’s first love and ordinary adolescence while political repression makes every identity dangerous.

What is Clandestine Childhood like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Clandestine Childhood as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Clandestine Childhood violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Clandestine Childhood as mild.

What did critics think of Clandestine Childhood?

Critics broadly recognized the film's emotionally charged political coming-of-age perspective, though the limited aggregate scores indicate a divided response.

Which films are like Clandestine Childhood?

Films with a similar feel include The Year My Parents Went on Vacation, Machuca, and A World Apart.

How long is Clandestine Childhood?

Clandestine Childhood runs 112 minutes.

Where can I watch Clandestine Childhood?

In United States, Clandestine Childhood streams on Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Fawesome, Tubi TV.