Francis Ford Coppola, who is now a hotel owner in Buenos Aires  (see Casa Escondido below shot Tetro, a mostly black and white film on the streets of La Boca, the gritty port district in Buenos Aires where tango was born. The colorful barrio is as much of a character as the actors themselves and showcases Coppola’s love for the Argentina as they move from the capital with a drive south to Patagonia, where a literary festival sets the scene for the closing credits.

The movie traces the tale of two brothers from the United States, one a playwright named Tetro played by Vincent Gallo and one a young cruise ship worker, who reconnect in Buenos Aires after years apart. Both men have issues with their father, a famous Italian immigrant symphony conductor, and the creative legacy passed down through. Tetro is bitter, broken, and doesn’t let anyone see his writing and has cut off all ties to his family. When his 18-year old brother Bennie, played by Alden Ehrenreich, arrives he is forced to confront his past and future. Some critics have called the 2009 film his best work since Apocalypse Now.

**Click Here to Purchase Tetro from Amazon.com**

Francis Ford Coppola, the Latin American Hotelier
Few realize that Godfather director (& Napa Valley winemaker) Francis Ford Coppola owns a collection of some of the most interesting hotels in Latin America. His 2 hotels in Belize (Turtle Inn and Blancaneaux Lodge), one in Guatemala (La Lancha), and latest in Buenos Aires (Jardin Escondido) are the bees knees. The Central America hotels are surrounded by jungle and are decorated with items and artwork personally picked up by Coppola and his wife in their travels. The accommodations vary in size and personality and are far from the typical Latin American resorts.

Jardin Escondido was Coppola’s private residence while shooting Tetro. It’s in the fashionable Palermo Soho district and now one of the city’s premier boutique hotels. Each of the six airy rooms feature art from Coppola’s personal collection, while the terraced grounds are laden with gardens. An on-site sommelier will help you choose between the Malbec and the Viognier.

Jardin Escondido
Goretti 4746, Palermo Soho
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: 1-800-746-3743
www.coppolajardinescondido.com

Coppola Resorts
www.coppolaresorts.com

Nicholas Gill (470 Posts)

Writer and photographer Nicholas Gill is the editor/publisher of New World Review. He lives in Lima, Peru and Brooklyn, New York. His work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CondeNast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, and Penthouse. Visit his personal website (nicholas-gill.com) for more information.