Painful memories of Argentina?s most recent military dictatorship ? from 1976 to 1983 ? form the core of this powerful, moving film about two sisters.

Natalia and Elena have not seen each other for eight years, since the former fled Argentina after her boyfriend and fellow political activist Martin mysteriously disappeared in Buenos Aires.

The pair are very different. Natalia is a free-spirited intellectual, a journalist with strong opinions who is intent on probing the past. Her sister, now living in Texas, is a housewife who just wants to conform and forget the horrors she left behind in her home country.

Their reunion in 1984 forces the sisters to reopen old wounds about a truly frightening period in Argentina?s history. They discover a novel, written by their late father, which tells the story of what happened eight years before.

Through a series of flashbacks, director Julia Solomonoff gradually unravels the secrets behind Martin?s disappearance and shows the strain that uncovering the past places on the sisters? relationship.

It?s fascinating stuff ? both the historical/political story and the depiction of a deep love between two women who have much to discover about one another.

Valeria Bertuccelli (Elena) and Ingrid Rubio (Natalia) are utterly compelling as the sisters ? both very natural actors who have a great chemistry. From the first scene, when they meet at the airport and cling on to one another, hardly able to believe they are finally together again, they are totally believable as sisters with a shared and painful past.

The final scene, back at the airport, is even more poignant ? Natalia leaving after the biggest secret of all has been unlocked.

Solomonoff manages to weave a great deal into her movie, exploring ideas about love, guilt and the need for the truth to be exposed.

Her greatest skill is in showing how the horror of the dictatorship affects individuals and their relationships with one another and how that impact does not abate with the years.

Despite the dramatic subject matter, this is a subtle film, with a steady, composed direction and calm, thoughtful performances from the lead players. It left me wanting to know more.