The Bilbaos review – soulful study of a tough guy boxer dealing with emotional baggage

Pedro Speroni’s documentary follows Iván Bilbao’s return from prison to a family full of troubles and tenderness

Fresh out of prison after a five-year stint in maximum security, Iván Bilbao comes home to the open arms of his family in Chascomús, a small town two hours south of Buenos Aires. Looking to return to professional boxing, he maintains his muscular physique through rigorous training, all while keeping his old job as a moneylender. Seeing beyond Iván’s criminal past, Pedro Speroni’s soulful documentary reveals the fragility that lies behind his tough-guy facade.

Bearing the marks of his difficult life, Iván’s handsome, weathered face softens when he is with his girlfriend Yamila and her daughter Luz. When the day winds down, laughter fills the house as the three of them share a meal together. At the same time, the emotional baggage of family traumas, along with economic insecurity, also threaten to disrupt Iván’s efforts at rehabilitation. A tender scene where he serenades Yamila is quickly followed by a heated argument in which an angry Iván lashes out at his mother for being unsupportive of his relationships.

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The Bilbaos review – soulful study of a tough guy boxer dealing with emotional baggage

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