This heart-warmer concerns precocious eight-year-old Valentin (Rodrigo Noya), who lives alone with his grandmother in Buenos Aires in the early 1960s. Longing to be reunited with his absentee mom, Valentin lives with his eccentric grandma (long-time Almodovar star Carmen Maura) and deals with the occasional visits from his reprobate father (director Alejandro Agresti). For solace, Valentin visits a kindly musician (Mex Uritzberea) who urges the boy to hang on to his dream of becoming Argentina's first astronaut. Valentin also develops a bond with Leticia (Juliete Cardinali), one of his dad's young girlfriends. Noya plays his role like a pint-sized blend of Woody Allen, Nanni Moretti, and Audrey Tatou (AMELIE), replete with poignant optimism, wry commentary, and a cupid-like need to play matchmaker for the nicer adults in his life. As engaging as he is, the film gets stolen by the wonderful Cardinali (a TV star in Argentina) who radiates angelic warmth in her too-few scenes. Agresti suffuses the film with well-observed period detail that only hints at the political turmoil of the time (Argentina was in the grip of the infamous "reign of terror" throughout the '60s and '70s). VALENTIN is one of those films that manages to win a viewer's heart without pulling any harsh reality punches.

THEATRICAL RELEASE: MAY 7, 2004 (LIMITED)

DVD Features:

Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Interview with Director Alejandro Agresti
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer

Distributor Notes: Valentin

Acclaimed by critics and winner of numerous awards around the globe, VALENTIN is an enchanting view of the world as it revolves around one delightfully precocious 8-year-old boy! With a set of absentee parents and a home life he considers a mess at best, Valentin is an extraordinarily charming and imaginative youngster whose greatest dream is to be just an ordinary kid with a real family of his own. As he schemes to fix the problems in his own life, his dogged determination and indelible spirit will bring joy, wisdom -- and even romance -- into the lives of the grown-ups around him! Filled with wit, humor, and emotion -- here's your chance to see why audiences everywhere have fallen in love with VALENTIN!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Rodrigo Noya: Actor, VALENTIN (2004)
Julieta Cardinali: Actor, VALENTIN (2004)
Carmen Maura: Spanish Actress
Lorenzo Quinteros: 
Mex Urtizberea: Actor, VALENTIN (2004)

Alejandro Agresti: Director, VALENTIN (2004)

Laurens Geels: Dutch Producer

Alejandro Agresti: Director, VALENTIN (2004)

Luis Salinas: Composer, VALENTIN (2004)
Paul M. Van Bruggen: Composer, VALENTIN (2004)

"[Noya] looks the part and exudes a touching solemnity."