If you've been wondering what exactly pipped A Prophet and The White Ribbon to this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, wonder no more. Here's a look at the much heralded, gong-garlanded Argentine thriller The Secret In Their Eyes in all its dark-hued glory.
Set in the late '90s but told partly in flashback form, the story jags back to 1974 and the brutal rape and murder of a young woman in Buenos Aires. Her husband extracts a vow from federal agent Benjamin Espósito (Ricardo Darin) that he'll bring the culprit to justice, a commitment that brings the world-weary lawman into conflict with just about everyone.
Taking on an indifferent state apparatus and rivals within the department keen to bury the case, Espósito enlists the help of upper-crust lawyer Irene Hastings (Soledad Villamil) to resume his hunt 25 years later. As the trailer suggests, it's no easy task.
Not only heralded by Oscar but Empire's own Kim Newman, you can catch **The Secret In Their Eyes **when it's released on August 13.