'December 2001': Who's Who in the Star+ Series on the Crisis That Ended the De la Rua Government

Argentine history has been, curiously, a good powerhouse of fictions. And, against the stark backdrop of politics, hundreds of scripts have been written that are not essays or theses, but neither are they pure fantasy. And from that path have come successful productions, some memorable, such as La historia oficial or, recently, Argentina, 1985.

"I lived it, they didn't tell me", "My parents told me" or "I read something, I want to know more" are usually phrases that invite you to see on screen the approach of real events. And, more, if there is rigorous recreation of characters.

Did you see how well Darín is as prosecutor Julio Strassera (in Santiago Mitre's film) or Fabio Posca as Videla in the second season of El Presidente? Well, surely there will be those who now seek detail in the composition of those who star in December 2001, the series that premieres this Wednesday Star+, with Jean Pierre Noher as former President Fernando de la Rua.

Based on the book The Palace and the Street, by Miguel Bonasso, the new production of six episodes (40 minutes, average, each) focuses on the social, political and economic crisis of 22 years ago.

There is a deep work of composition in all the characters. And, in most, there is a successful physical similarity.

With books by Mario Segade, direction by Benjamín Ávila and production by Kapow, this thriller summoned a dream team of actors willing to get into the skin of different figures of the hectic political arena. The story follows Javier Cach (in charge of Diego Cremonesi), an advisor to the Chief of Cabinet at the time, in the framework of a story as painful as it is known.

Here, a gallery of who's who in December 2001 and the words of some of its protagonists, who shared with Clarín what it is like to approach characters that require a gestural study, behavior, temperament and diction. So.

Fernando de la Rua Jean Pierre Noher

Noher plays De la Rua, in a deep work of composition.

He was the President of the Nation between 1999 and 2001.

"The idea was never to imitate," explains the actor who has given life to many personalities of reality, such as Jorge Luis Borges. "The search was to capture an energy of a man like De la Rua in that fateful, horrific month. I used a little inspiration in the Gardiner, by (Jerzy) Kosinski, from the novel From the garden and it is embodied, I think, in some idea of the setting of Benjamin Avila, "explains Noher.

"

I had three weeks to prepare it. I was nourished by everything there was. Not like in the time of Borges (when he played him in the cinema), that I had to go looking for cassettes or interview his housekeeper. Here you have everything within reach, but -he acknowledges- what you do not have within reach is what the series tells: the backstage of power. "

Domingo Cavallo Luis Machin

Luis Machin studied Domingo Cavallo in depth to bring him to the screen.

He became economy minister under Fernando de la Rua in March 2001, after his years in Carlos Menem's government between 1989 and 1999.

As for his interpetación for the series, Machín shares that "what I try is to build with certain opinions of mine, as an actor, in relation to the characters I do, always. But, when it comes to characters of which there is a very strong reference linked to way of speaking, physiognomy or a particular gesture, I do not fail to take all that into account. Because, whether they want it or not, the viewer makes a comparison, looks for how much there is or is not similar between one and the other."

"

It's a bit unfriendly that place, but it's also understandable. When the public sees that someone is playing someone who exists, as in the case of Cavallo, they try to look for similarities. That is why it is also important to approach the physiognomic similarity, the timbre of voice (...) In this case I also emphasized that he is from Córdoba and, although he does not have a markedly localist accent, he has an aspiration of the eses that is similar to that of the santafesinos, "brushes Machín.

She says that with makeup the eyebrows were modified and, beyond her decision to shave, the issue of baldness was also worked especially on. And he confesses that once "I have been told that Cavallo and I had a similar voice."

Cristian Colombo Luis Luque

He was chief of staff of the national government. One of the President's closest aides.

Eduardo Duhalde Cesar Troncoso

César Troncoso as Eduardo Duhalde.

He was a national senator, governor of the province of Buenos Aires between 1991 and 1999 and in the legislative assembly of January 2, 2002 he was sworn in to assume the presidency of the nation until 2003.

Javier Cach Diego Cremonesi

His fictional character serves as narrator of this story that dives into the darkness of the 2001 crisis.

Franco Musciari Nico Furtado

Fictional character, linked to politicians and trade unionists, advisor to Peronism, man close to Eduardo Duhalde.

Raul Alfonsin Manuel Callau

Raúl Alfonsín, in the acting version of Manuel Callau.

First constitutional president of Argentina, in 1983, after the military dictatorship. National Senator since October 2001.

"Chiche" Duhalde Alexandra Flechner

Wife of Eduardo Duhalde, she plays a key role in those days of crisis and power.

Alejandra Flechner as Hilda Duhalde

Adolfo Rodriguez Saa Jorge Suarez

Former governor of the province of San Luis. After Fernando de la Rua's resignation, he took office as president for only one week. He was succeeded by Duhalde.

Jorge Suárez as Adolfo Rodriguez Saá

To compose his character, Suárez says that "I appealed to videos, to memory... I remember those days as if it were today. And, in addition, I received the help of our great director (Ávila) regarding the times, the way of speaking and the forms".

"When one embodies characters that are known to the public, the difference, with respect to others created by an author, is very great," says Suárez, with the focus on the reconstruction of a profile on which there are already opinions formed over time.

Ramon Puerta Manuel Vicente

Manuel Vicente plays Ramón Puerta.

He was a national senator. And President for a day.

"The approach of the character, in the first place, is through the script, in the most classic and orthodox way. Then, in this case, you have to confront that with image issues, out there watch videos... But, above all, trying to find issues that have more to do with temperaments and personality traits, rather than forms, because that would be more imitation, "he explains.

"

The script is always the genetic basis of the construction of a character. Then, if it exists or has existed, one can contextualize it historically. Here I emphasized, basically, his statesmanship. And I think that, at the same time," Vicente gives, "is what provided an interpretive richness for me as an actor."

Ludovico Di Santo as Antonio de la Rua

With well-delineated creatures, inspired by reality, the cast also includes Ludovico Di Santo as Antonio de la Rúa, Cecilia Rossetto as Dr. Inés Bruno (mother of Javier Cach), Fernán Mirás as Carlos "Chacho" Álvarez and Vando Villamil as Carlos Ruckauf.

Fernán Mirás in the skin of Chacho Álvarez.

Surely, when the series navigates the waters of streaming, the game of similarities and differences will be launched.

See also

"Married with children" does not stop: wins on Netflix, Telefe and in the theater

Ten unmissable series that arrive in June to streaming platforms