Argentine sex comedy

The term Argentine sex comedy (Spanish:Comedia picaresca) refers to sexual comedy films that have been filmed in Argentina. The genre gained popularity in Argentina, particularly during and after the era of the country's military junta's regime and censorship ended with a permanent return to democracy in 1983. Among the popular actors who participated in these films were, initially, Jorge Porcel and Alberto Olmedo, who formed a popular acting duo in the 1970s and 1980s, until Olmedo's death on March 5, 1988.

History
1963's "la cigarra no es un bicho" ("The Cicala is not a Bug") is often credited as the first Argentine comedy film with sex as a central plot element.

Aries Cinematográfica Argentina started producing sex comedies in 1965; the production company later proved instrumental in developing the genre in the South American country. Their first sex comedy was 1966's "Hotel alojamiento" ("Hotel Stay"), directed by Fernando Ayala.

The sex comedy film industry in Argentina gained steam early in the 1970s. In fact, some of the early Argentine sex comedies were financed by the military government themselves, since they realized these popular films were good business for them as the public would go watch the movies, making them money.

1979's "Encuentros muy cercanos con señoras de cualquier tipo" ("Close Encounters with any Kind of Ladies", a comedy whose title spoofs the sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind) was another popular Argentine sex comedy. It starred Olmedo, Porcel Moria Casan and Adriana Aguirre.

During the 1980s, Olmedo and Porcel, along with Susana Gimenez and Casan, for example, collaborated frequently in these types of films. Movies where these and other actors participated were popular in Argentina and other Latin markets, such as Puerto Rico and Spain, for example.



Towards the end of the 1980s, many of these films were recorded exclusively for the Argentine straight-to-video rental market.

More modern stars who have participated in this genre in Argentina include Ana Katz.