Leopoldo Torre Nilsson
Encyclopedia
Leopoldo Torre Nilsson also known as Leo Towers and as Babsy, was an Argentine
film director, producer and screenwriter.
Born as Leopoldo Torres Nilsson (he later changed his paternal surname from Torres to Torre) was the son of Argentine pioneer film director Leopoldo Torres Ríos
, with whom he collaborated between 1939 and 1949. He debuted in 1947 with the short El muro. His mother was an Argentinian citizen of Swedish descent. His uncle was cinematographer Carlos Torres Ríos (1898–1956).
Torre Nilsson's first full-length film, El crimen de Oribe (1950), was an adaptation of Adolfo Bioy Casares
's novel El perjurio de la nieve. In 1954 he directed Días de odio, based on Jorge Luis Borges
's short story Emma Zunz
. He also directed films about icons of Argentine history and culture: Martín Fierro
(1968), about the main character of Argentina's national poem
; El Santo de la Espada
(1970), about General José de San Martín
; and Güemes, la tierra en armas (1971), about Martín Miguel de Güemes
. His 1973 film Los siete locos
won the Silver Bear at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival
.
Torre Nilsson was married to writer Beatriz Guido
, whose work served as inspiration and who worked alongside him in many of his scripts. He is acknowledged as the first Argentine film director to be critically acclaimed outside the country, making Argentina's film production known in important international festivals. He died of cancer in his native Buenos Aires in 1978, at the age of 54. He was buried at the Cementerio Británico
in Buenos Aires.
A novelized biography of Torre Nilsson, El Gran Babsy (ISBN 950-07-0895-7), by Mónica Martín, was published in 1993. Another biography, Leopoldo Torre Nilsson: Imagen y Poesía (ISBN 987-04-0581-9) was published in 2006 by the newspaper La Nación
and the Aguilar editorial house.
Cinema of Argentina
The cinema of Argentina has a tradition dating back to the late nineteenth century, and continues to play a role in the culture of Argentina....
film director, producer and screenwriter.
Born as Leopoldo Torres Nilsson (he later changed his paternal surname from Torres to Torre) was the son of Argentine pioneer film director Leopoldo Torres Ríos
Leopoldo Torres Ríos
Leopoldo Torres Ríos was an Argentine film director and screenwriter. His brother Carlos Torres Ríos was a notable cinematographer...
, with whom he collaborated between 1939 and 1949. He debuted in 1947 with the short El muro. His mother was an Argentinian citizen of Swedish descent. His uncle was cinematographer Carlos Torres Ríos (1898–1956).
Torre Nilsson's first full-length film, El crimen de Oribe (1950), was an adaptation of Adolfo Bioy Casares
Adolfo Bioy Casares
Adolfo Bioy Casares was an Argentine fiction writer, journalist, and translator. He was a friend and collaborator with his fellow countryman Jorge Luis Borges, and wrote what many consider one of the best pieces of fantastic fiction, the novella The Invention of Morel.-Biography:Adolfo Bioy...
's novel El perjurio de la nieve. In 1954 he directed Días de odio, based on Jorge Luis Borges
Jorge Luis Borges
Jorge Francisco Isidoro Luis Borges Acevedo , known as Jorge Luis Borges , was an Argentine writer, essayist, poet and translator born in Buenos Aires. In 1914 his family moved to Switzerland where he attended school, receiving his baccalauréat from the Collège de Genève in 1918. The family...
's short story Emma Zunz
Emma Zunz
"Emma Zunz" is a short story by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. The tale recounts how its eponymous heroine avenges the death of her father. Originally published in September 1948 in the magazine Sur, it was reprinted in Borges' 1949 collection The Aleph....
. He also directed films about icons of Argentine history and culture: Martín Fierro
Martín Fierro (film)
Martín Fierro is a 1968 film based upon José Hernández's poem Martín Fierro, widely considered Argentina's national poem. The story centers on the life of a renegade gaucho....
(1968), about the main character of Argentina's national poem
Martín Fierro
Martín Fierro is a 2,316 line epic poem by the Argentine writer José Hernández. The poem was originally published in two parts, El Gaucho Martín Fierro and La Vuelta de Martín Fierro . The poem is, in part, a protest against the modernist tendencies of Argentine president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento...
; El Santo de la Espada
El Santo de la Espada
El Santo de la Espada is a 1970 movie that narrates the life of José de San Martín. The main actor was Alfredo Alcón...
(1970), about General José de San Martín
José de San Martín
José Francisco de San Martín, known simply as Don José de San Martín , was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South America's successful struggle for independence from Spain.Born in Yapeyú, Corrientes , he left his mother country at the...
; and Güemes, la tierra en armas (1971), about Martín Miguel de Güemes
Martín Miguel de Güemes
Martín Miguel de Güemes was a military leader and popular caudillo who defended northwestern Argentina from the Spanish during the Argentine War of Independence.-Biography:...
. His 1973 film Los siete locos
The Seven Madmen
The Seven Madmen is a 1973 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson. It was entered into the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear Award.-Cast:* Alfredo Alcón – Erdosain* Norma Aleandro – Hipólita...
won the Silver Bear at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival
23rd Berlin International Film Festival
The 23rd annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 22 to July 3, 1973.-Jury:* David Robinson * Freddy Buache* Hiram Garcia Borja* Eberhard Hauff* Harish Khanna* Paul Moor* Walter Müller-Bringmann* René Thévenet...
.
Torre Nilsson was married to writer Beatriz Guido
Beatriz Guido
Beatriz Guido was an Argentine novelist and screenwriter.Guido was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, the daughter of architect Ángel Guido and of Uruguayan actress Berta Eirin...
, whose work served as inspiration and who worked alongside him in many of his scripts. He is acknowledged as the first Argentine film director to be critically acclaimed outside the country, making Argentina's film production known in important international festivals. He died of cancer in his native Buenos Aires in 1978, at the age of 54. He was buried at the Cementerio Británico
Cementerio Británico
Cementerio Británico, also known as Buenos Aires British cemetery, is a cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is in the district of Chacarita in the northern part of Buenos Aires, adjacent to La Chacarita Cemetery.-History of the British Cemetery:...
in Buenos Aires.
A novelized biography of Torre Nilsson, El Gran Babsy (ISBN 950-07-0895-7), by Mónica Martín, was published in 1993. Another biography, Leopoldo Torre Nilsson: Imagen y Poesía (ISBN 987-04-0581-9) was published in 2006 by the newspaper La Nación
La Nación
La Nación is an Argentine daily newspaper. The country's leading conservative paper, the centrist Clarín is its main competitor. It is the only newspaper in Argentina still published in broadsheet format.-Overview:...
and the Aguilar editorial house.
Selected filmography
- El Hijo del crackEl Hijo del crackEl Hijo del crack is a 1953 Argentine football drama film co-directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson and Leopoldo Torres Ríos and starring Armando Bo and Oscar Rovito. The film, a tale of a dwindling professional football star and his son was released on December 15, 1953 in Normandie cinema in Buenos...
(1953) - The House of the AngelThe House of the AngelThe House of the Angel is a 1957 Argentine film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson from a novel by Beatriz Guido. It was entered into the 1957 Cannes Film Festival.- Cast :*Elsa Daniel - Ana*Lautaro Murúa - Pablo Aguirre*Guillermo Battaglia - Dr...
(1957) - La caídaLa CaídaLa caída is a 1959 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson. It was entered into the 9th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Elsa Daniel - Albertina* Duilio Marzio - José María* Lautaro Murúa - Uncle Lucas* Lydia Lamaison - Marta...
(1959) - Un Guapo del '900Un Guapo del '900Un Guapo del '900 is a 1960 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson.-Cast:*Alfredo Alcón ... Ecuménico López*Arturo García Buhr ... Alejo Garay*Elida Gay Palmer ... Edelmira Carranza de Garay*Lydia Lamaison ... Doña Natividad...
(1960) - The Party Is OverThe Party Is OverThe Party Is Over is a 1960 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson. It was entered into the 10th Berlin International Film Festival...
(1960) - Summer Skin (1961)
- The Hand in the TrapThe Hand in the TrapThe Hand in the Trap is a 1961 Argentine film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, based on a novel by Beatriz Guido. It was entered into the 1961 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize...
(1961) - The Female: Seventy Times SevenThe Female: Seventy Times SevenThe Female: Seventy Times Seven is a 1962 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson. It was entered into the 1962 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Isabel Sarli - Cora / Laura* Francisco Rabal - Pascual / The Sheepherder...
(1962) - The TerraceThe TerraceThe Terrace is a 1963 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson. It was entered into the 13th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Graciela Borges - Claudia* Leonardo Favio - Rodolfo* Marcela López Rey - Vicky...
(1963) - Monday's ChildMonday's Child (film)Monday's Child is a 1967 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson, based on a story by André Du Rona. It was entered into the 1967 Cannes Film Festival.- Cast :*Arthur Kennedy - Peter Richardson*Geraldine Page - Carol Richardson...
(1967) - Martín FierroMartín Fierro (film)Martín Fierro is a 1968 film based upon José Hernández's poem Martín Fierro, widely considered Argentina's national poem. The story centers on the life of a renegade gaucho....
(1968) - The Seven MadmenThe Seven MadmenThe Seven Madmen is a 1973 Argentine drama film directed by Leopoldo Torre Nilsson. It was entered into the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear Award.-Cast:* Alfredo Alcón – Erdosain* Norma Aleandro – Hipólita...
(1973)