La flor de Irupé ("The Irupé Flower") is a black-and-white Argentine film directed by Alberto Dubois, released on 4 October 1962. The title is inspired by a Guarani legend about the maiden associated with the Irupé flower. Actress Libertad Leblanc took on her first leading role, alongside Luis Alarcón and Héctor Pellegrini.
| La Flor de Irupé | |
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Release date |
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| Country | Argentina |
| Language | Spanish |
The film gained attention for its daring inclusion of nudity, unusual for its time, and the undeniable physical allure of the lead character. This bold approach contributed to its success at the box office, propelling 24-year-old Libertad Leblanc to become a prominent sex symbol of the era, particularly in Argentina.
Plot
editThree bank robbers, on the run after a heist, stumble upon a secluded hut in the Iberá wetlands. The cabin is inhabited by an old trapper, a hermit, and an eccentric. Seeking refuge, the fugitives decide to lie low there. As days pass, boredom and a lack of female company make them uneasy. One evening, Roberto, one of the criminals, discovers a beautiful blonde girl bathing naked in the river. Intrigued, he shares the encounter with his partners. The old trapper then narrates the local legend of La flor de Irupé, a ghostly maiden who appears in the river during full moons, seeking to reunite with her dead husband.
Despite the unsettling story, the criminals remain skeptical. However, days later, Roberto encounters the girl again, revealing her name as Marta, a real and living person. The two form a romantic connection, but complications arise for Roberto and Marta.
Cast
edit- Libertad Leblanc ... Marta
- Luis Alarcón ... Roberto
- Héctor Pellegrini ... The Thief
- Mario Amaya ... Indian
- Héctor Carrión ... El Sapo
- Alberto Barcel ... Don Lucas
- Mario Casado
- Amelia Folcini
- Jorge L. Fossati
- Carlos García
Alternative color version
editThe reissued video of the film by Something Weird Video (Twisted Sex series, Vol. 18, 1998) features a 12-minute color sequence narrating the old man's story. As the original film was entirely shot in black and white, Something Weird Video added this recent color sequence for the trailer and promotional poster. La flor de Irupé is now cataloged by Something Weird Video under the international title Love Hunger. The website notes its U.S. release in 1965, three years after its debut in Argentina.