A Lateral Portrait
The documentary opens a door that had remained closed for decades.
It reveals a more intimate side of Piazzolla through archival material provided by the family. His son Daniel plays a central role, guiding us through home videos, photographs, and taped phone conversations.
Rosenfeld seems interested in the parts of Piazzolla that were less visible — the areas overshadowed by the myth of the misunderstood genius, and by the simple fact that recognition usually comes from elsewhere first.
What emerges is a more personal and unexpected portrait:
his harsh immigrant childhood in New York, the demands he placed on himself, the strains and affections within his family, and the way his life was shaped by work, sacrifice, and a relentless commitment to music.
Technical Details
- Director: Daniel Rosenfeld
- Writers: Daniel Rosenfeld, Diego Gachassin
- Producers: Lisandro Alonso, Daniel Rosenfeld
- Year: 2018
- Country: Argentina
- Duration: 92 minutes
- https://mubi.com/en/ca/films/piazzolla-los-anos-del-tiburon
- Festival Selections:
IDFA Amsterdam (2018), Istanbul (2019), Seattle (2019), DOK.fest Munich (2019), It’s All True – Brazil (2019).
Suggested Listening
In 1955 Piazzolla created the Octeto Buenos Aires — a small, radical ensemble that allowed him to reshape the music on his own terms.
After the Octeto, Piazzolla formed the ensemble that would define him: the Quinteto Nuevo Tango. With this smaller, sharper group — bandoneon, violin, electric guitar, piano, and double bass.
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