What's Happening?
Netflix is set to release 'Gordon,' a new series from Argentina on November 18, focusing on the real-life figure of Ánibal Gordon. Directed by Pablo Trapero and starring Rodrigo de la Serna, the seven-part
psychological action thriller delves into the life of Gordon, an infamous torturer and psychopath during Argentina's 1974-83 Dirty War. The series, co-written by Trapero and Marcos Osorio Vidal and based on a novel by Marcelo Larraquy, aims to explain how a car thief rose to power within the military intelligence services and became a leader of death squads, eventually directing a notorious detention and torture center. Trapero describes Gordon as a 'sci-fi portal' that opens doors to different aspects of Argentina during that tumultuous period, with each episode shifting genres to maintain viewer engagement.
Why It's Important?
The series 'Gordon' is significant as it tackles a dark and often underexplored period in Argentine history, the Dirty War. By focusing on a figure like Ánibal Gordon, the show aims to shed light on how individuals with psychopathic tendencies could gain power and inflict widespread violence during a time of political upheaval. This exploration is crucial for understanding the historical context of state-sponsored terror and its long-lasting societal impacts. The series' approach of changing genres per episode, from a Western to a secret agent thriller and eventually horror, is intended to make the difficult subject matter more accessible and engaging for a broad audience, including younger generations who may only know this period from history books. It prompts reflection on the nature of violence and its commodification during such times.
What's Next?
Following its Netflix debut on November 18, 'Gordon' is expected to generate significant discussion and impact, particularly in Argentina. The series' creators, Pablo Trapero and Rodrigo de la Serna, anticipate that it will challenge viewers' sentiments and provoke strong reactions due to its portrayal of a deeply villainous character and the historical atrocities he committed. The show's release will likely reignite conversations about the Dirty War, its victims, and the mechanisms that allowed such events to unfold. It could also set a precedent for how other historical traumas are depicted in audiovisual fiction, encouraging a deeper engagement with complex and uncomfortable pasts. The series' success may also influence future productions focusing on similar historical periods and figures.
Beyond the Headlines
The series 'Gordon' delves into profound ethical and psychological dimensions by exploring the 'anti-conscience' of its protagonist. Rodrigo de la Serna, who plays Gordon, describes the character as lacking empathy and driven by the pleasure of exercising his psychopathological essence. This portrayal raises questions about the nature of evil and how societal conditions, such as the Cold War context and the breakdown of the rule of law, can enable individuals like Gordon to thrive and gain power. The series suggests that during this period, violence became a commodity, losing its gravity and consequences. By presenting a character with whom audiences are not meant to identify, 'Gordon' challenges viewers to confront the darkest aspects of human nature and the historical forces that allowed such monsters to emerge, serving as a cautionary tale against the normalization of violence.
