“Based on the novel by Osvaldo Soriano, Funny Dirty Little War is a parable of the events in Peronist Argentina leading up to the military take-over in 1974. Set in the hypothetical town of Colonia Vela, the film sets off as a farcical comedy about rightist Peronists plotting to oust the leftist Peronist mayor of the town. But the mayor doesn't take it lying down and the war is on, soon escalating into a deadly, earnest ‘dirty little war' complete with death squads, hostages and torture. Hector Olivera (Rebellion in Patagonia) shot the film while the generals were still in power. Released during the elections, in which the Radicals defeated the Peronists, it stirred heated controversies and had a strong impact on the outcome” Denis W. De La Roca, Filmex '84
“Federico Luppi, whose own outspoken liberalism prevented him working in his own country for years, is brilliant as the (Mayor).... This is a very funny film, but it smiles like a tiger” (Derek Malcolm, London Film Festival). Selected for the Museum of Modern Art's New Directors/New Films '85, and winner of the 1984 Berlin Film Festival's Silver Bear award.