Jenny Hellmann and Regina Mennig: Documentary project on Argentina's stolen children - discussion with the film makers

Two cases of politically motivated child theft are brought before the Argentinean court, throwing the affected “children” into an identity crisis, as they are torn between their foster parents and their recently found biological families.

Hilario and Catalina are amongst the most defenseless victims of the military junta. Both were robbed from their families as babies – kidnappings designed to prevent them from growing up with their parents’ political ideals. Uncovering the past leads Catalina and Hilario in very different directions. Whereas Catalina presents herself as a co-plaintiff incriminating her “appropriators”, Hilario – close to tears – speaks in defense of the “parents of his heart”. The film accompanies Hilario and Catalina over a period of two years – throughout the judicial process against the foster parents and follows the two characters’ struggle with the past and search for a lighthearted future. Algo mío sheds new light on Argentina’s history and reveals unknown facets of a national trauma.