Johnny Cien Pesos: Gustavo Graef Marino’s Classic Returns to the Big Screen at Centro Arte Alameda

Original article: Johnny Cien Pesos: El clásico de Gustavo Graef Marino regresa a la pantalla grande en Centro Arte Alameda

The film Johnny Cien Pesos (1993), the directorial debut of Gustavo Graef Marino and one of Chile’s most iconic films, is making a comeback in theaters as part of the series Ópera Prima: It All Begins with the First Film.

The Chilean Association of Screenwriters and Directors (ADG) and Centro Arte Alameda are hosting a special screening on Friday, July 31 at 6:45 PM, which will feature a presentation by the director himself, Gustavo Graef Marino. Tickets, priced at just one thousand pesos, are available on PASSLINE.

Gustavo Graef Marino is a Chilean director, screenwriter, and producer. His debut film, Johnny Cien Pesos, represented a turning point for national cinema in the 1990s, emerging as one of the first Chilean films to critically depict the social tensions of the post-dictatorship era while closely reflecting urban realities.

Throughout his career, he has built a distinguished reputation both in Chile and internationally, directing films, television shows, and acclaimed audiovisual projects.

Released in 1993 and based on a real event that occurred in Santiago, Johnny Cien Pesos follows the story of Johnny, a 17-year-old who gets embroiled in a botched bank heist in the heart of the capital. What begins as a robbery quickly escalates into a prolonged police and media siege.

At the Interior Ministry, the news hits like an earthquake: a hostage situation jeopardizes the government’s image, which is eager to project an image of a peaceful Chile, emerging from 17 years of military dictatorship.

National alarm grows. For the first time in Chile, a crime has 15 million witnesses, and the story’s protagonist is an armed student. Johnny García wanted to make something of his life, and at the age of 17, he’s accomplished that as a criminal.

With its intense narrative and critical lens on Chilean society at the dawn of the 1990s, the film has become a landmark of post-dictatorship national cinema. Over three decades after its release, it remains relevant as it tackles issues like social exclusion, media portrayals of violence, and the contradictions of a transitioning country.

This screening is part of the Ópera Prima series, a special monthly programming dedicated to revisiting the debut films of renowned filmmakers. The series aims to reflect on those pivotal moments in every director’s career that define their creative universe and the themes that will shape their filmography.