Marco Berger (born 8 December 1977) is an Argentine film director and screenwriter. He is known for films such as Plan B and Absent.
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Biography
Marco Berger studied at the Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires and made his debut as a director in 2008 with the short films La última voluntad and El reloj, the latter selected for the Cannes Film Festival. His first feature film, Plan B (2009), was presented at numerous festivals.
With the film Absent (Ausente), he won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival. The jury described his work as "an original screenplay, with an innovative aesthetic and a sophisticated approach that creates dynamism. A unique combination of homoerotic desire, suspense, and dramatic tension."
Between 2013 and 2015 he produced two more films: Hawaii and Butterfly (Mariposa), winner of the Best Latin American Film category at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain.
In 2016 he shot his fifth feature film, Taekwondo, in collaboration with filmmaker Martín Farina.
Berger is openly homosexual, and all his films deal with LGBT themes and conflicts, and he is considered one of the leading exponents of the genre today. His artistic hallmark is the exploration of silence on screen, focusing on the gestures and gazes of the characters, rather than dialogue.
Throughout his career, he has also participated as a collaborator in other film productions, such as the two volumes of the Sexual Tension series.
Filmography
Films
Plan B - 2009
Absent (Ausente) - 2011
Hawaii - 2013
Butterfly (Mariposa) - 2015
Taekwondo - 2016, with Martin Farina
The Blonde One (Un rubio) -2019
Young Hunter (El cazador) - 2020
The Carnival (Gualeguaychú: El país del carnaval) - 2021
Horseplay (Los agitadores) - 2023
The Astronaut Lovers (Los amantes astronautas) - 2024
Perro Perro - 2025
Collaborations
Cinco (2010) – with Cinthia Varela, Cecilia del Valle, Andrew Sala and Francisco Forbes
Tensión sexual, Volumen 1: Volátil – with Marcelo Mónaco
Tensión sexual, Volumen 2: Violetas – with Marcelo Mónaco
Taekwondo (2016) – jointly directed with Martín Farina
Shorts
Una última voluntad (2007)
El reloj (2008)
El Primo (2012)
El intercambio (2023)
Other works
Fulboy (2014) as editor
Awards
In 2011, Berger won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival for his film Ausente.
Personal life and career
Marco Berger is gay. His film examines male desire and challenges rigid distinctions between gay and straight identities, presenting sexuality as more fluid. Berger began studying theatre arts at the age of fifteen and has credited his extensive exposure to films as an influence on his decision to pursue a career in the arts.