Retired Man Fights Ghostly Bureaucracy in Dark Comedy

Silvio Bertolini, a recently retired Montevideo resident, finds his life upended when the government erroneously declares him dead. His struggle to reclaim his identity and pension becomes a Kafkaesque battle against a multi-tentacled bureaucracy. This social satire, titled 'When I Existed,' is the feature debut from Uruguayan writers-directors Alejandro Damiani and Martin Avdolov.

Funded by Uruguay and Spain, the film employs black humor to dissect themes of reinvention and existential dread. It highlights the fear of not knowing how to truly live and the constant feeling of time slipping away. The directors emphasize the need for small acts of resistance against an increasingly automated and artificial world.

The film stars César Troncoso, who appears in every shot, demanding immense stamina and commitment. The production journey took five to six years, involving extensive writing and funding challenges. Filmed against the backdrop of Montevideo's brutalist architecture, the movie prompts audiences to question their own lives and priorities.

'When I Existed' will have its world premiere in the Critics' Picks Competition of the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia on Wednesday, November 18. The film delves into universal struggles with fear, the systems that can make life shallow, and the importance of human connection over automated existence.