Actor Ricardo Darin stars in Netflix's "The Eternaut," a production that mirrors the struggle against tyranny.

Rewritten Article:

Embracing camaraderie and survival: That's the crux of the story behind Ricardo Darin's latest venture, "The Eternaut," premiering on Netflix on Wednesday. A remake of a classic 1950s Argentine comic, this sci-fi series veers into post-apocalyptic territory as toxic snow blankets Buenos Aires, paving the way for an alien invasion.

On a more fundamental level, it's about ordinary folks with limited resources and no extraordinary powers rallying against a totalitarian menace, as Darin, a vibrant 68-year-old, explained to AFP.

"Those communities that survived were those who stood united, protected themselves, and cared about more than just their individual fates," he said, describing the narrative arc. This theme seems particularly resonant in today's world, according to Darin, although he refrained from explicitly pointing out which threat he was referring to.

Directed and penned by Argentina's Bruno Stagnaro, "The Eternaut" faithfully adheres to the original comic by Héctor Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López. Notably, Oesterheld resumed the series in the 1960s with increasingly political undertones that are believed to have contributed to his disappearance in 1977 under Argentina's brutal military dictatorship.

Regrettably, Oesterheld and his family vanished without a trace, including his four daughters and three sons-in-law, who are among the estimated 30,000 individuals listed as "disappeared" by rights groups, sons of dictatorship.

Darin, beloved for his roles in films like "Nine Queens," "Wild Tales," and "The Secret in Their Eyes" (which won the 2010 Oscar for best international feature), initially felt apprehensive about embodying Juan Salvo, the resistance hero in "The Eternaut." With no background in science fiction and confronted by arduous stunts, Darin admitted the work was physically grueling.

"Every day ended with us exhaustedly," the actor shared. "And there wasn't much time to recuperate." Darin participated in over 113 days of the 148-day shoot, frequently clad in Salvo's heavy, snow-resistant gear, on sets buried under mountains of artificial snow. Beyond the rigors of action shooting, Darin encountered additional challenges as the series progressed, having to roll, jump, fall, and fight – challenges that probably wouldn't have phased a 25- or 30-year-old actor, but presented a different set of hurdles for a seasoned performer like Darin.

Darin expressed optimism that "The Eternaut" could serve as a boost for Argentine cinema during a period of austerity under budget-slashing President Javier Milei. The national government has withdrawn support for the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts, and culture more broadly.

"Nothing like this has ever been done here," said Darin of the project.

Enrichment Data:

Plot Overview:"The Eternaut" on Netflix reimagines Héctor Germán Oesterheld's seminal 1957–1959 Argentine comic, setting it in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Protagonist Juan (Ricardo Darín) leads the remnants of society in chaotic Buenos Aires as they fight off threats after a lethal snowstorm wipes out exposed individuals. The first four episodes focus on Juan's urgent search for his family and the unfolding mystery behind the snow's extraterrestrial origins, seamlessly blending survival drama with sci-fi intrigue.

Links to the Original Comic:The series preserves the comic's core concept: a catastrophic event triggering societal disintegration. The pacing and character dynamics have been modernized, with a greater emphasis on individual survival over explicit political messaging. The subtle political critique embedded in the original story, rooted in Oesterheld's leftist politics, is maintain, albeit subtly.

Historical and Political Context:"The Eternaut" draws upon Buenos Aires' distinctive locale, with its fragile infrastructure and historical political strife, to emphasize themes of resilience and community distrust. This integration of real-world tensions sets it apart from comparable dystopian stories, grounding its sci-fi elements in a realistic socio-historical landscape.

Key Themes and Adaptation Choices:- Survival vs. Morality: Characters find themselves confronted with agonizing decisions regarding sacrifice and trust, echoing the comic's focus on collective struggle.- Argentine Identity: South American narrative traditions and local, pre-digital technologies contribute to the series' freshness.- Allegorical Legacy: Although the show avoids overt political commentary, its portrayal of isolation under systemic collapse echoes the comic's subtext about authoritarianism. The series straddles the line between being a sci-fi adventure and a metaphor for resilience amid sociopolitical fractures.

Ricardo Darin's latest project, "The Eternaut" on Netflix, portrays a post-apocalyptic Argentine society, inspired by a 1950s comic, where ordinary people band together against a totalitarian force.
Darin, a renowned actor known for his roles in movies like "Nine Queens" and "The Secret in Their Eyes", admitted the physically demanding series was challenging, with arduous stunts and 113 days of the 148-day shoot.
The series, written by Bruno Stagnaro, remains faithful to the original comic by Héctor Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López, despite modernizing pacing and character dynamics.
Oesterheld, who resumed the series in the 1960s with increasingly political undertones, vanished under Argentina's brutal military dictatorship in 1977, along with his family.
Darin expressed hope that "The Eternaut" could boost Argentine cinema during a period of austerity, despite the national government withdrawing support for the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts.
"The Eternaut" weaves survival drama and sci-fi intrigue, set against Buenos Aires' distinctive locale and historically fraught political backdrop, offering a unique blend of AI-driven entertainment and Argentine culture.