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Amelia Bence (born María Amelia Batvinik; 13 November 1914 – 8 February 2016) was an Argentine film actress and one of the
diva Diva (, ) is the Latin word for a goddess. Diva is a name from Roman mythology, and is associated with the nouns divus, diva, which means god, goddess, and the adjective divinius, which means divine or heavenly. It has often been used to refer t ...
s of the
Golden Age of Argentine cinema The Golden Age of Argentine cinema (Spanish language, Spanish: ''Época de Oro del cine argentino'' or other equivalent names), sometimes known interchangeably as the broader classical or classical-industrial period (Spanish: ''período clásico- ...
during the 1930s and 1950s. Born to
Belarusian Jew The history of the Jews in Belarus begins as early as the 8th century. Jews lived in all parts of the lands of modern Belarus. In 1897, the Jewish population of Belarus reached 910,900, or 14.2% of the total population. Following the Poli ...
ish immigrants, Bence began her career at a young age, studying with
Alfonsina Storni Alfonsina Storni (29 May 1892 – 25 October 1938) was a Swiss Argentines, Swiss-Argentine poet and playwright of the Modernismo, modernist period. Early life Storni was born on May 29, 1892, in Sala Capriasca, Switzerland. Her parents were Alf ...
at the Lavardén Children's Theater and with Mecha Quintana at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música y Declamación (National Conservatory of Music and Speech). She made her film debut in 1933, in only the second
sound film A sound film is a Film, motion picture with synchronization, synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, bu ...
of Argentina, ''
Dancing Dance is an art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements or ...
'', by
Luis Moglia Barth Luis Moglia Barth (12 April 1903 - 18 June 1984) was an Argentina, Argentine film director and screenwriter, and one of the influential directors in the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. He directed some 30 films between 1927 and 1959, often screen ...
. Bence's acting in ''
La guerra gaucha ''The Gaucho War'' (''La guerra gaucha'') is a Argentine films of 1942, 1942 Argentina, Argentine historical drama and epic film directed by Lucas Demare and starring Enrique Muiño, Francisco Petrone, Ángel Magaña, and Amelia Bence. It is one ...
'' (1942), one of the most important films in the history of
Argentine cinema Cinema of Argentina refers to the film industry based in Argentina. The Argentine cinema comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of Argentina or by Argentine filmmakers abroad. The Argentine film industry has histo ...
, gave her recognition and earned her leading role offers. She starred in films such as ''Los ojos más lindos del mundo'' (1943), '' Todo un hombre'', '' Camino del infierno'' (1946), '' A sangre fría'' (1947), '' La otra y yo'' (1949) and '' Danza del fuego'' (1949), garnering the Best Actress award from the
Argentine Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences The Argentine Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences () is an industry association in Argentina founded in 2004. Each year the Academy present the ''Premios Sur'' (South Prizes) for categories such as best fiction film, best director, best a ...
for ''Todo un hombre'', ''A sangre fría'' and ''Danza del fuego''. Bence also won the Silver Condor Award for Best Actress for '' Lauracha'' (1946), and her work was acknowledged with awards in Spain, Cuba, and the United States throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Bence married Spanish actor
Alberto Closas Alberto Closas Lluró (30 October 1921, in Barcelona – 19 September 1994, in Madrid) was a prolific Spanish film actor who appeared in the Cinema of Argentina in the 1940s and 1950s and in Spanish cinema after 1955. His family emigrated to ...
in 1950, and after their divorce in 1955 she was in a relationship with Osvaldo Cattone in the 1960s. From 1952 to 1954, Bence was contracted by Reforma Films to film two movies in Mexico and earned high praise for her starring role in '' Alfonsina'' (1957), which was selected as the Argentine entry for the
Berlin International Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival (), usually called the Berlinale (), is an annual film festival held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festival has been held every February since 1978 and is one of Europ ...
and won her an award from the Argentina Film Academy. She developed an extensive theater career in the 1960s, starring in works like "La dama del trébol", "Así es la vida", "Maribel y la extraña familia" and "El proceso de Mary Duggan". From 1973 to 1976, she completed a long tour of Latin America and featured in "La valija" ("The Suitcase") at the Gramercy Arts Theater in New York City, which earned her an
Association of Latin Entertainment Critics The Association of Latin Entertainment Critics (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos de Nueva York, in Spanish) is a nonprofit cultural organization founded on December 12, 1967. The organization has bestowed the Latin ACE Awards (Premios AC ...
(ACE) Award for Best Foreign Actress. Bence's characterizations in "Doña Rosita, la soltera" (1975) and "La loba" (1982) in the United States and Peru were very successful. During the last stage of her career, she acted in several television productions, including series such as ''Romina'', ''
Bianca Bianca is a feminine given name. It means "white" and is an Italian cognate of Blanche. It is known in the Anglosphere as a character in William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew''. It came to greater notice in the 1970s, due to public fi ...
'' and '' Las 24 horas''. In 1989, she received the Silver Condor for Lifetime Achievement Award, and later won awards in the same category at the Podesta Awards in 1992 and by the
National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the feder ...
in 1997. Between 1996 and 2010, she appeared in several theaters with her show "Alfonsina", which combined music and poetry. After a career spanning eight decades in entertainment, she retired in 2010.


Biography


Early life

María Amelia Batvinik was born on 13 November 1914 in
Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...
, the youngest of seven children to Belarusian Jewish immigrants, Jaime Batvinik from
Minsk Minsk (, ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administra ...
, and Ana Zaguer from
Pinsk Pinsk (; , ; ; ; ) is a city in Brest Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Pinsk District, though it is administratively separated from the district. It is located in the historical region of Polesia, at the confluence of t ...
. From an early age, she was drawn to acting and began performing alongside other neighborhood children in the courtyards of their homes. That was how she met
Paulina Singerman Paulina Singerman Begun (1911 – 9 February 1984) was an Argentine actress and businesswoman who primarily worked during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema, performing on both stage and in films. In the later part of her career, she spent a d ...
, a neighbor, who suggested to Bence's mother that the child be enrolled in the Lavardén Children's Theater, operating in the
Teatro Colón The Teatro Colón () is a historic opera house in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world by National Geographic. According to a survey carried out by the acoustics expert Leo Beranek among leadin ...
. At the age of five, she officially debuted, encouraged by the sisters Paulina and Berta Singerman, in poet
Alfonsina Storni Alfonsina Storni (29 May 1892 – 25 October 1938) was a Swiss Argentines, Swiss-Argentine poet and playwright of the Modernismo, modernist period. Early life Storni was born on May 29, 1892, in Sala Capriasca, Switzerland. Her parents were Alf ...
's work, "Juanita". Bence recalled that the performance was not without mishap, as she accidentally swallowed a postage stamp she was to place on an envelope; she was distraught, but Storni praised the way she handled the situation. She completed her primary school studies at the Escuela General Roca, while simultaneously studying piano with her sister Esther at the Fontova Conservatory. From the age of ten, she worked as an elevator operator at Gath & Chaves. In her free time, she worked in an acting group led by Pedro Aleandro, the brother of Ben Molar, where she participated in the play ''Las campanas'' by
Julio Sánchez Gardel Julio Sánchez Gardel (15 December 1879 in Catamarca- 18 March 1937 in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine dramatist A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes plays, which are a form of drama that primarily consists of dialogue between ch ...
. Despite the opposition of her family to acting, Bence convinced her mother to let her continue studying. Due to no availability in the National Conservatory of Performing Arts, she decided to learn classical dance with Mecha Quintana at the National Conservatory of Music and Speech, where she briefly attended classes. Quintana assigned her a part in a ballet at the Opera Theatre of Musical Comedy "Wunder Bar" (1933), starring
Armando Armando may refer to: * Armando (given name) * Armando (artist) (1929–2018), the name used by Dutch artist Herman Dirk van Dodeweerd * Armando (producer) Armando Gallop (sometimes written as Armando Gallup) (February 12, 1970 – December 17, ...
and Enrique Discépolo. On one occasion, she filled-in for the star when the performer had an illness during the performance run.


Film and theater debuts

Bence's first film role was as an extra in a scene with
Pedro Quartucci Pedro Quartucci (July 30, 1905 in Buenos Aires – April 20, 1983 in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine boxer and actor. Boxing career As a featherweight professional boxer who competed in the 1920s, he won a bronze medal in Boxing at the 1924 Summe ...
in Argentina's second sound film, ''
Dancing Dance is an art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements or ...
'' (1933), under the direction of Luis José Moglia Barth, who bestowed the stage name "Amelia Bence" on her. The film was a failure and did not have the same success as the first sound film ''
¡Tango! ''¡Tango!'' is a 1933 Argentine musical romance film, the first film to be made in Argentina using optical sound technology (but not the first sound film.) Many existing stars of the Argentine stage and radio appeared in the film, but its success ...
''. The production had poor sound quality, audiences did not receive it well, and Bence was reluctant to include it in her filmography. She went back to the theater and began working under the direction of Enrique Susini in his company at the Odéon Theater, performing in such works as "Tu boca, Superficies", "Los malos tiempos" and "Baile en el Savoy", which were musical comedies and
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...
shows. In "Baile en el Savoy", Bence replaced the star, Amanda Varela, who became ill and shared the stage with
Florencio Parravicini Florencio Parravicini (24 August 1876 – 25 March 1941) was an Argentine actor who primarily worked during the Golden Age of Argentine Cinema, performing on both stage and in films. From an aristocratic family, he was a relative of the artist B ...
. The play was one of her first successes, having over 100 performances. When its run ended at the Odéon, it was transferred to the Cine Monumental and re-released for several more weeks. She and Parravicini also starred in "Ocho en línea" at the Corrientes Theater, but the reviews were scathing. ''El Mundo'' reported that "the show seemed unrehearsed" but praised Bence saying, "Newcomer ... , managing with grace and efficiency". In "Conde de Chantenay", which had a short run due to Parravicini's health, Bence was rated by the press as "demure, competent and pleasant" and in "De mí no se ríe nadie", which was directed by León Zárate, she appeared in 200 performances. In 1937, Bence took a more serious role in
Luis Saslavsky Luis Saslavsky (April 21, 1903 – March 20, 1995) was an Argentine film director, screenwriter and film producer, notable for his work during the classical era of Argentine cinema. Personal life Saskavsky was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argenti ...
's drama '' La fuga'', in which she supported Tita Merello and Santiago Arrieta. The performance earned Bence a contract with Olegario Ferrando at Pampa Film and three other film roles. After a long theatrical season with
Luis Arata Luis Arata (1895–1967) was an Argentine stage and film actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of th ...
and inconsequential participation in '' El forastero'', she filmed ''
La vuelta al nido ''La vuelta al nido'' is a 1938 Argentine psychological drama film written and directed by Leopoldo Torres Ríos and starring José Gola and Amelia Bence. Although upon its release it was harshly received by critics due to its slow and poetic to ...
'' with
José Gola José Gola (February 7, 1904 – April 27, 1939, in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine film actor, notable for his work during the early years of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. Born in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, Gola began acti ...
. Bence defined the film as "one of the best of our cinema ... A simple and profound story ... very intimate, full of sensitive details ... it was not understood by critics or the public at the time". In 1938,
Leopoldo Torres Ríos Leopoldo Torres Ríos (27 December 1899 – 10 April 1960) was an Argentina, Argentine film director and screenwriter notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. His brother Carlos Torres Ríos was a notable cinematographer. ...
gave Bence her first starring role in film in '' Adiós Buenos Aires'', where she played a showgirl "Luisita" living a bohemian life. In November 1938, she attracted the attention of the public and press when she starred in the play ''Mujeres'' at the Smart Theatre, (currently
Multiteatro Multiteatro is a theater complex located at 1283 Avenida Corrientes, in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the site of the historical Teatro Smart and Teatro and Cinema Blanca Podestá. History Teatro Smart In 1914, the Italian entrepreneur Domingo Perr ...
) located on
Avenida Corrientes Avenida Corrientes () is one of the principal thoroughfares of the Argentina, Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. Over a central stretch it is popularly known as "The Street that Never Sleeps" (''"La calle que nunca duerme"'') widely considered B ...
. The play was written by American writer and actress
Clare Boothe Luce Clare Boothe Luce (; March 10, 1903 – October 9, 1987) was an American writer, politician, diplomat, and public conservative figure. A versatile author, she is best known for her 1936 hit play '' The Women'', which had an all-female cast. He ...
and also starred Mecha Ortiz. In one of the scenes, Bence appeared bathing in a tub full of foam. She said: "I wore nylon mesh, it was very modest but, as was logical, it did not go unnoticed. I had a very big impact as a result of that scene ... so much so that, the Teatro Maipo ... made a parody of it". The work was described as "original, fresh, and modern", reaching 250 performances. It was revived at the Teatro Fénix de Flores.


Recognition and "The Gaucho War"

In the wake of her successful theatrical season, Bence filmed '' El matrero'' (1939) in
Tucumán Province Tucumán () is the most densely populated, and the second-smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina. Located in the northwest of the country, the province has the capital of San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighb ...
, in which she played "Pontezuela", a girl who falls in love with the character of
Agustín Irusta Agustín Ernesto Irusta (born 19 July 1942) is a former Argentine football goalkeeper who played most of his career for San Lorenzo de Almagro. Irusta was born in Villa María, Cordoba. He made his professional debut for San Lorenzo on 23 June ...
, is accused of a crime and is rejected by her father. She won praise for her performance, and was hired to an exclusive three-year contract by Miguel Machinandiarena, who had just formed San Miguel Studios, which would soon become the largest studio in Argentina. Bence was hired to star opposite Tito Lusiardo in
Antonio Momplet Antonio Momplet (1899 – 10 August 1974) was a Spanish film director and screenwriter. He worked in Spain, France, Argentina (during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema) and Mexico. Life and career Antonio Momplet was born in Cádiz, Andalusia. ...
's '' Novios para las muchachas'' (1941), a comedy adapted from the play "Las de Caín". That same year she starred in Carlos F. Borcosque's '' La casa de los cuervos'', based on a novel by
Hugo Wast Gustavo Adolfo Martínez Zuviría (October 23, 1883March 28, 1962), best known under his pseudonym Hugo Wast, was a renowned Argentine novelist and script writer. Biography Born Gustavo Martínez Zuviría in Córdoba, Argentina, his family reloc ...
, which won her the Premios Sur for Best Actress from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina. In early 1942, Bence filmed '' El tercer beso'', directed by
Luis César Amadori Luis César Amadori (28 May 1902 – 5 June 1977) was an Italian-Argentine film director and screenwriter and one of the most influential directors in the cinema of Argentina of the classic era. He directed over 60 films between 1936 and 1967, wri ...
and co-starring
Pedro López Lagar Pedro López Lagar (18 June 1899, in Madrid – 21 August 1977, in Buenos Aires) was a Spanish-born Argentine film actor, notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema in the 1940s and 1950s. Although born in Madrid he mo ...
and Silvia Legrand. Though Bence was concerned about playing the mother of Legrand, who was only 13 years younger than she was, the film was a success and she won her the Silver Condor Award for Best Actress from the
Argentine Film Critics Association The Argentine Film Critics Association () is an organization of Argentine-based journalism, journalists and correspondents. The association presents the ''Silver Condor Awards'' (''Premios Cóndor de Plata'') honoring achievements in Argentina, Ar ...
for the performance. The recognition led to her appearance frequently on the covers of magazines, and to an offer to appear in what would become one of the most important films in the history of Argentine cinema, ''
La guerra gaucha ''The Gaucho War'' (''La guerra gaucha'') is a Argentine films of 1942, 1942 Argentina, Argentine historical drama and epic film directed by Lucas Demare and starring Enrique Muiño, Francisco Petrone, Ángel Magaña, and Amelia Bence. It is one ...
''. The film starred Bence and Sebastián Chiola,
Ángel Magaña Ángel Magaña (August 24, 1915 – November 13, 1982) was an Argentine film actor of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was married to the Spanish-Argentine film actress Nuri Montsé. Filmography #Hot ...
, Enrique Muiño, and Francisco Petrone and is set at the turn of the nineteenth century in northern Argentina. It was shot on location in
Salta Province Salta () is a Provinces of Argentina, province of Argentina, located in the northwest of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the east clockwise Formosa Province, Formosa, Chaco Province, Chaco, Santiago del Estero Province, Santiago del Es ...
and was based on the novel of the same name by writer
Leopoldo Lugones Leopoldo Antonio Lugones Argüello (13 June 1874 – 18 February 1938) was an Argentine poet, essayist, novelist, playwright, historian, professor, translator, biographer, philologist, theologian, diplomat, politician and journalist. His poetic ...
. Scriptwriters Hómero Manzi and Ulises Petit de Murat, wove the disparate stories of the characters into an overview of the
gaucho A gaucho () or gaúcho () is a skilled horseman, reputed to be brave and unruly. The figure of the gaucho is a folk symbol of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, the southern part of Bolivia, and the south of Chilean Patago ...
s' revolt against Spanish rule. The film, unlike Hollywood Westerns, neither portrayed colonization as progress, nor focused the action on the indigenous people, instead focusing on the patriotic pride of the gauchos. The film won seven awards and Bence won an award as best actress of the year from the City of Buenos Aires. It also earned her an offer from
Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...
to come to the US and work in Hollywood, but she declined the offer.


A successful film star

After the success of ''La guerra gaucha'', Bence received only starring roles. In 1943, she agreed to work with Pedro López Lagar on '' Son cartas de amor'', a romantic story set at the time of the
Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War () was a military conflict fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republican faction (Spanish Civil War), Republicans and the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalists. Republicans were loyal to the Left-wing p ...
, in which she received an award for Best Actress from the Cuban Federation of Film and Theater Editors. In 1982 she donated the medal to a program raising funds to help the soldiers of the
Falklands War The Falklands War () was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British Overseas Territories, British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and Falkland Islands Dependenci ...
. Later in 1943, she starred in ''Los ojos más lindos del mundo'', (The Most Beautiful Eyes in the World). The title was a reference to the purplish green hue of Bence's eyes and the title became associated with her, to the point that when she toured Chile in 1955 and 1964, the press headlines read, "The most beautiful eyes in the world came here". Her next film, '' Todo un hombre'' (1943), was directed by Frenchman
Pierre Chenal Pierre Chenal (; 5 December 1904 – 23 December 1990) was a French director and screenwriter who flourished in the 1930s. He was married to Czech-born French film actress Florence Marly from 1937 to 1955. Work Chenal was best known for film noi ...
. In the final scene, Bence was replaced by a double because of the impossibility of postponing a trip to Brazil. She won the award for Best Actress from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the film. The cover of the magazine ''Antena'' for December 1943 announced the upcoming release of
Julio Saraceni Julio Saraceni (October 10, 1912 – October 12, 1998) was a prolific Argentina, Argentine film director whose career in the Cinema of Argentina as a movie director spanned six decades. He was an important director during the Golden Age of Ar ...
's '' Nuestra Natacha'', based on a play by Alejandro Casona. The film was released in September 1944, shortly after the presentation of her film '' 24 horas de la vida de una mujer'', in which she played the role of "Cecilia", receiving good reviews in ''
La Nación ''La Nación'' () is an Argentine daily newspaper. As the country's leading conservative newspaper, ''La Nación''s main competitor is the more liberal ''Clarín (Argentine newspaper), Clarín''. It is regarded as a newspaper of record for Argen ...
'' and ''Antena''. In 1946, Bence starred with Mecha Ortiz in '' Camino del infierno'', a melodramatic, psychological thriller involving a love triangle. Despite their performances, the film was poorly received by the critics. San Miguel Studios next put all three of its stars, Mecha Ortiz,
María Duval María Duval may refer to: * María Duval (Argentine actress) María Duval (born María Mogilesky; 17 May 1926 – 10 May 2022) was an Argentine actress, considered one of the most representative performers of the Golden Age of Argentine ...
and Bence in one film, ''
Las tres ratas ''The Three Rats'' (Spanish:''Las Tres Ratas'') is a 1946 Argentine drama film of the Argentine classical cinema, classical era of Argentine cinema, directed by Carlos Schlieper and starring Mecha Ortiz, Amelia Bence and María Duval (Argentine act ...
'' (1946), under the direction of
Carlos Schlieper Carlos Schlieper (23 September 1902 – 11 April 1957 in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine film director and screenwriter notable for his work during the classical era of Argentine cinema. His father, Hermann Heinrich Schlieper Feldmann (1842– ...
, which fared much better with the public and critics. In the summer of 1944, Bence met the actor
Alberto Closas Alberto Closas Lluró (30 October 1921, in Barcelona – 19 September 1994, in Madrid) was a prolific Spanish film actor who appeared in the Cinema of Argentina in the 1940s and 1950s and in Spanish cinema after 1955. His family emigrated to ...
in Chile while filming ''María Rosa'', who would become her husband. Both ''María Rosa'' and the other film made in Chile, '' Lauracha'' (1946) ended up being delayed for release due to a dispute between Pampa Film,
Lumiton Lumiton is a former film production company and current museum located in Munro, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lumiton Studios was founded in 1932 at the start of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. Its lowbrow, populist films appealed to local audienc ...
and San Miguel Studios. The legal dispute between the director
Ernesto Arancibia Ernesto Arancibia (12 January 1904 – 27 August 1963) was an Argentine film director and screenwriter, notable for his work during the classical era of Argentine cinema. Filmography As director * ''La novia'' (1961) * '' Azafatas con permiso'' ...
and the film companies took nearly two years to resolve. Despite the delay in release, the Association of Film Critics awarded Bence the Silver Condor Award for Best Actress, for a role which Hal Erickson in ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' describes as a "fiercely independent young woman", comparing the film to a "
Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, 190? was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway theatre, Broadway. Crawford was signed to a motion-picture cont ...
esque drama". Her next film, '' El pecado de Julia'', featured Alberto Closas, with whom she had begun a relationship, and received mixed reviews. In 1947, Bence won the Writers Association award for Best Actress and the inaugural prize for the ''Hispanoamericano de Cinematografía'' in Madrid for her role as a wealthy but weak and vulnerable lady, mistreated by an evil nephew in
Daniel Tinayre Daniel Tinayre (14 September 1910 – 24 October 1994) was a French-born Argentine film director, screenwriter and film producer notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema, classical era of Argentine cinema (1930s–1950s) a ...
's murder drama, '' A sangre fría''. For her role in Momplet 's '' La otra y yo'' (1949), which co-starred Enrique Álvarez Diosdado and
Fernando Lamas Fernando Álvaro Lamas y de Santos (January 9, 1915 – October 8, 1982) was an Argentine-American actor and director of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. He is the father of actor Lorenzo Lamas. Biography Argentina Fernando Álvaro Lamas y ...
, she dyed her hair blond to play two different characters—the film star "Dora Nelson" and the clothing designer "Matilde García". It amused and surprised the public, as there is a scene where the two characters talk to each other in the same frame. ''
La Opinión ''La Opinión'' is a Spanish-language daily newspaper and website based in Los Angeles, California. It is the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States and the second-most read newspaper in Los Angeles (after '' The Los Angeles Ti ...
'' praised her acting and the magazine ''El Hogar'' reported that she "soared beyond the script and the director". Bence again starred opposite Diosdado in '' Danza del fuego'', in which played Elena Valdez, a successful concert pianist who died on her wedding night after falling out the window of her home, tortured and believing herself guilty of a crime. Her performance earned her the award for Best Actress in 1949 from both Writers Association and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina. After marrying Closas in 1950, they formed a theater company and dedicated themselves more frequently to theater performance. The premiere of "La estrella cayó en el mar", though marred by politics, was a success and continued playing to sold-out houses. After the first presentation, a reporter from the magazine ''El Hogar'' gave rave reviews on the play and marriage of Bence to Closas. The reporter was contacted by first lady
Eva Peron Eva or EVA may refer to: * Eva (name), a feminine given name Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters * Eva (Dynamite Entertainment), a comic book character * Eva (''Devil May Cry''), in the ''Devil May Cry'' video game series * ...
, who also demanded that the editor print a retraction and a public denial of what had been written. Bence stated in her autobiography, that from that moment she was "
black listed ''Black Listed'' is a 2003 crime drama film directed by, and starring, Robert Townsend. Premise Lawyer Alan Chambers ( Robert Townsend) grows tired of watching criminals being released and takes it upon himself to create a list of criminals, he ...
" by the regime, although she was
apolitical Apoliticism is apathy or antipathy towards all political affiliations. A person may be described as apolitical if they are uninterested or uninvolved in politics. Being apolitical can also refer to situations in which people take an unbiased p ...
. In July, after the play reached 150 performances at the Odéon Theatre, the cast began a tour that started in the Coliseo Podestá of
La Plata La Plata () is the capital city of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. According to the 2022 Argentina census, census, the La Plata Partido, Partido has a population of 772,618 and its metropolitan area, the Greater La Plata, has 938,287 inhabit ...
, where they played to sold-out houses for ten days. As they continued with the tour, Bence and Closas worked on the play "Mi marido y su complejo", which they opened for the first time in
Rosario Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
and then took it to Buenos Aires, Rio Cuarto, Mendoza,
San Juan San Juan, Spanish for Saint John (disambiguation), Saint John, most commonly refers to: * San Juan, Puerto Rico * San Juan, Argentina * San Juan, Metro Manila, a highly urbanized city in the Philippines San Juan may also refer to: Places Arge ...
and Córdoba. The tour was cut short by the production of ''
Mi mujer está loca ''Mi mujer está loca'' is a List of Argentine films of 1952, 1952 Argentine romantic comedy film of the Argentine classical cinema, classical era of Argentine cinema, directed by Carlos Schlieper and Enrique Cahen Salaberry, and starring Amelia Be ...
'' (1952), an adaptation of the play "Florence est folle". The screenplay was written by Carlos Schlieper and
Ariel Cortazzo Ariel Cortazzo (1915–1998) was an Argentine screenwriter.Cowie p.20 Selected filmography * '' The Tango Star'' (1940) * '' Girls Orchestra'' (1941) * ''Melodies of America ''Melodies of America'' (Spanish:''Melodías de América'') is a 1941 A ...
and starred both Bence and Closas.


Mid-century

Contracted to work for Reforma Films in Mexico, Bence's first Mexican film was '' Siete Mujeres'' (1953). She recalled that the filming was completely different than anything she had worked on before, as there was no possibility of retakes or selective editing to provide the best footage for the film. ''Siete mujeres'', like '' Las tres Elenas'' (1954), was never released in Argentina. After ten months, Bence returned to Argentina and ended her marriage to Closas. She attended the first
Mar del Plata International Film Festival The Mar del Plata International Film Festival () is an List of film festivals, international film festival that takes place every November in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina. It is the only competitive feature festival recognized by the FIAPF ...
in 1954, and then went with
Mario Soffici Mario Soffici (14 May 1900 – 10 May 1977) was an Italian-born Argentina, Argentine film director, actor and screenwriter notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. Biography Mario Soffici was born in Florence, Florence, ...
and his production team to
La Rioja La Rioja () is an autonomous communities in Spain, autonomous community and provinces of Spain, province in Spain, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Logroño. Other List of municipalities in La Rioja, cities and towns in the ...
, Spain to film '' El hombre que debía una muerte'' with
Carlos Cores Carlos Cores (April 19, 1923 – February 8, 2000) was an Argentine film actor, and film director. Cores entered films in 1939 and starred in over 60 films between then and his retirement in the early 1980s. In 1968 he directed, acted and wrot ...
. The play "Pesadilla" premiered in 1955 and involved a tour of Uruguay, Cordoba, Mendoza, Buenos Aires and Rosario, where they remained playing to a full house for two weeks. In the play, Bence played the character "Mary" and her performance received high praise in ''
La Capital ''La Capital'' is a daily Spanish-language newspaper edited and published in Rosario, province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It was founded on November 15, 1867, and it is the oldest Argentine newspaper still in circulation, which has gained it th ...
''. Encouraged by Cecilio Madanes, she also opened "La dama del trébol", a play that had been successful in Paris. However, soon after its premiere, the
Revolución Libertadora The ''Revolución Libertadora'' (; ''Liberating Revolution'') as it named itself, was the civic-military dictatorship that ruled the Argentine Republic after overthrowing President Juan Domingo Perón, shutting down the National Congress of Ar ...
or the 1955 coup d'état that overthrew
Juan Domingo Perón ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of '' John''. The name is of Hebrew origin and has the meaning "God has been gracious." It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking countries around the world and in the Philip ...
, occurred. Bence's new partner, José María Fernández Unsáin, had served as Eva Perón's secretary and as Chairman of the Committee on Culture, director of the
Teatro Nacional Cervantes The Teatro Nacional Cervantes in Buenos Aires is the national stage and comedy theatre of Argentina. Overview Located on Córdoba Avenue and two blocks north of Buenos Aires' renowned opera house, the Colón Theatre, the Cervantes houses three pe ...
, and director general of the Ministry of Culture, under the Perón regime. Fernández's past led to threats at the theaters and demonstrations outside Bence's hotel, which in turn led to cancellations by the Theater of the Chilean Society of Authors for "Pesadilla", "La dama del trébol", "Eran tres" ... and "la noche". They also suspended the series "Mis protagonistas" which Bence was performing on Radio Minería with
Luis Prendes Luis Prendes Estrada (22 August 1913 – 27 October 1998) was a Spanish actor. He was considered one of the country's most famous movie star during the 1940s and 1950s. He was also an important figure in the country's theatre. Selected fi ...
. In 1956, she filmed '' Dos basuras'' under director
Kurt Land Kurt Landesberger (19 February 1913, Vienna, Austria – 13 July 1997 New York City) was an Austrian born Argentine film director notable for his work during the classical era of Argentine cinema. He is better known as Kurt Land. Life Born i ...
, based on the play "Pesadilla", in which she portrayed a prostitute. It was not released until 1958 during the government of
Arturo Frondizi Arturo Frondizi Ércoli (Paso de los Libres, October 28, 1908 – Buenos Aires, April 18, 1995) was an Argentine lawyer, journalist, teacher, statesman, and politician. He was elected president of Argentina and governed from May ...
. In 1957, she opened the play ''Testigo para la horca'' at the Ateneo Theater and began filming her favorite film: '' Alfonsina'' (1957) by Kurt Land, based on the life of poet
Alfonsina Storni Alfonsina Storni (29 May 1892 – 25 October 1938) was a Swiss Argentines, Swiss-Argentine poet and playwright of the Modernismo, modernist period. Early life Storni was born on May 29, 1892, in Sala Capriasca, Switzerland. Her parents were Alf ...
. Despite makeup tests, Bence decided to recreate it bare-faced, without any alterations, depending only on her acting abilities. She won the award for Best Actress from the Argentina Film Academy and the film was chosen as the Argentine entry for the 1957
Berlin International Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival (), usually called the Berlinale (), is an annual film festival held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festival has been held every February since 1978 and is one of Europ ...
. Foreign press reviews praised her "interpretative restraint" and compared Bence to Austrian actress Paula Wessely. In the same year she had her first appearance on television playing in ''Teatro del sábado'' on Canal 7, in an episode which recreated ''Testigo para la horca'' based on the play by
Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...
. In 1957, Bence became one of the pioneers of the café cantante after the basement of the Santa Fe Galleries was remodeled to turn it into a theater. The presentation of the play "Asamblea de mujeres", based on a piece by
Aristophanes Aristophanes (; ; ) was an Ancient Greece, Ancient Greek Ancient Greek comedy, comic playwright from Classical Athens, Athens. He wrote in total forty plays, of which eleven survive virtually complete today. The majority of his surviving play ...
, generated a variety of controversial criticism. Bence's meeting in Europe with director
José María Forqué José María Forqué Galindo (8 March 1923 – 17 March 1995) was a Spanish screenwriter and film director. Biography He was the father of the actress Verónica Forqué and the director Álvaro Forqué. He died on 17 March 1995 in Madrid ...
led to her being cast in '' De espaldas a la puerta'' (1959), a crime drama which premiered at the Coliseum in Madrid, shortly before Bence returned to Buenos Aires. She won the Quixote prize for Best Foreign Actress for the role. Returning to Argentina, Bence was persuaded by Cecilio Madanes to perform in "Así es la vida" with the company of
Luis Arata Luis Arata (1895–1967) was an Argentine stage and film actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of th ...
and Eva Franco. The newspaper '' La Prensa'' gave her good reviews and that led to its being brought by Canal 7 to television on the insistence of Mariano Perla. Simultaneously with her performance for Madanes, she opened the play ''Maribel y la extraña familia'' in the Odeón Theater, whose success led to performances in other cities such as
Mar del Plata Mar del Plata is a city on the coast of the Argentine Sea, Atlantic Ocean, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is the seat of General Pueyrredón Partido, General Pueyrredón district. Mar del Plata is the second largest city in Buenos Aires ...
. The box office grossed 2 million pesos in the third month and 400,000 in the fourth.


Working abroad

In 1962, Bence joined an entourage including
César Tiempo César Tiempo, born Israel Zeitlin (March 3, 1906 in Yekaterinoslav, Russian Empire (now Dnipro, Ukraine) – October 24, 1980) was a Russian-born screenwriter of Argentine cinema. He wrote the script for award-winning films such as ''Safo, histor ...
, Máximo Berrondo, and
Enrique Serrano Enrique Serrano (1891–1965) was an Argentine actor and comedian notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. He appeared in many films of the 1940s and 1950s including '' Muchachas que estudian'', '' Asi es la vida'' (1939 ...
and appeared at the
International Film Festival of India The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is an annual film festival currently held in Goa, on the western coast of India. The festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excel ...
, where she met Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru Jawaharlal Nehru (14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, secular humanist, social democrat, and statesman who was a central figure in India during the middle of the 20th century. Nehru was a pr ...
at an official reception for foreign artists. Back in Argentina, she accepted an offer to star in the Uruguayan television production of ''Maribel y la extraña familia'' and on Canal 9 in Buenos Aires, a production of '' Nuestra Natacha''. Under the direction of Daniel Tinayre, she participated in the low-budget film '' La cigarra no es un bicho'', intended to revive the national film industry. The film featured performances by
Homero Cárpena Homero Cárpena (14 February 1910 – 17 January 2001) was an Argentine film actor born in Mar del Plata, notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. He appeared in 72 films between 1933 and 1972 although the bulk of his ...
, Bárbara Mujica and
Luis Sandrini Luis Sandrini (22 February 1905 – 5 July 1980) was a prolific Argentine comic film actor and film producer. Widely considered one of the most respected and most acclaimed Argentine comedians by the public and critics. He made over 80 appearan ...
and others. In the first week, viewings exceeded 3,000 spectators per day and the film spent seven weeks at the Cine Opera and eleven at the Trocadero Theater. In the film, Bence played a prostitute and ''La Nación'' reported that she and Luis Sandrini's performances shone. Shortly after, both were honored as the best Argentine artists of the year by Chilean journalists. From October to December 1963, she made a tour of Tucumán,
Bahía Blanca Bahía Blanca (; English: ''White Bay''), colloquially referred to by its own local inhabitants as simply Bahía, is a city in the Buenos Aires Province, Buenos Aires province of Argentina, centered on the northwestern end of the eponymous Blanc ...
, Córdoba, Mendoza,
Rosario Rosario () is the largest city in the central provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Santa Fe Province, Santa Fe. The city, located northwest of Buenos Aires on the west bank of the Paraná River, is the third-most populous city in the ...
and
Montevideo Montevideo (, ; ) is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Uruguay, largest city of Uruguay. According to the 2023 census, the city proper has a population of 1,302,954 (about 37.2% of the country's total population) in an area of . M ...
. By June 1964, she had started a theatrical season in Chile with "Los millones de Orofino", to critical acclaim. Directed by
Enrique Carreras Enrique Carreras (6 January 1925 – 29 August 1995) was a Peruvian-born Argentina, Argentine film director, screenwriter and film producer. He was one of the most prolific film directors in the history of the cinema of Argentina and a prominent ...
, Luis Saslavsky and
Fernando Ayala Fernando Ayala (2 July 1920 – 11 September 1997) was an Argentina, Argentine film director, screenwriter and film producer of the classic era. He is widely considered one of the most important Argentine film directors and producers in the hi ...
, she starred with Tita Merello and
Ángel Magaña Ángel Magaña (August 24, 1915 – November 13, 1982) was an Argentine film actor of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was married to the Spanish-Argentine film actress Nuri Montsé. Filmography #Hot ...
in '' La industria del matrimonio'', a film shot in episodes, where she played a wealthy spinster. Bence next received an offer to star in "El proceso de Mary Duggan" under the direction of Tinayre; however, she rejected the offer and was replaced by Malvina Pastorino. In the second season Pastorino quit the production and Bence finished the run. The actor Francisco Petrone, a member of the cast, died of cancer during the season. In 1968, as part of the cast of Comedy of the province of Buenos Aires, she debuted in
La Plata La Plata () is the capital city of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. According to the 2022 Argentina census, census, the La Plata Partido, Partido has a population of 772,618 and its metropolitan area, the Greater La Plata, has 938,287 inhabit ...
and simultaneously, in
Mar del Plata Mar del Plata is a city on the coast of the Argentine Sea, Atlantic Ocean, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is the seat of General Pueyrredón Partido, General Pueyrredón district. Mar del Plata is the second largest city in Buenos Aires ...
in the
George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 188 ...
classic, " Cándida", directed by
Milagros de la Vega Milagros de la Vega (1895–1980) was an Argentine stage and film actress.Cowie & Elley p.20 Filmography References Bibliography * Peter Cowie & Derek Elley. ''World Filmography: 1967''. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1977. External ...
. At the end of 1968, Bence decided to undertake a six-month tour for the following year through
Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
,
Bogotá Bogotá (, also , , ), officially Bogotá, Distrito Capital, abbreviated Bogotá, D.C., and formerly known as Santa Fe de Bogotá (; ) during the Spanish Imperial period and between 1991 and 2000, is the capital city, capital and largest city ...
,
Cali Santiago de Cali (), or Cali, is the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, and the most populous city in southwest Colombia, with 2,280,522 residents estimate by National Administrative Department of Statistics, DANE in 2023. The city span ...
,
Medellín Medellín ( ; or ), officially the Special District of Science, Technology and Innovation of Medellín (), is the List of cities in Colombia, second-largest city in Colombia after Bogotá, and the capital of the department of Antioquia Departme ...
and
Manizales Manizales () is a city in central Colombia. It is the capital of the Caldas Department, Department of Caldas, and lies near the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. Currently, the city is the main center for the production of Colombian coffee and an importa ...
. From Colombia, she went to Venezuela and debuted at the Municipal Theater of
Caracas Caracas ( , ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas (CCS), is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the northern p ...
with four works: "Cándida", "Un inocente adulterio", "Un dios durmió en casa" and "Los amantes". Then she went on tour through the
Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. It shares a Maritime boundary, maritime border with Puerto Rico to the east and ...
,
Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...
and
Miami Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...
, where she earned good reviews. When she returned from this long tour, she took a hiatus for several months and then agreed to do "Flor de cactus" with
Juan Carlos Thorry Juan Carlos Thorry (June 28, 1908, in Coronel Pringles – February 12, 2000 in San Antonio de Padua), born José Antonio Torrontegui, was an Argentine film actor, tango musician and director, notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argen ...
at the Comedy Theater in Rosario. After its opening run, the project continued on tour through the countryside, in
Paraná Paraná, Paranã or Parana may refer to: Geology * Paraná Basin, a sedimentary basin in South America Places In Argentina *Paraná, Entre Ríos, a city * Paraná Department, a part of Entre Ríos Province In Brazil *Paraná (state), a state ...
, Cordoba, Santa Fe and Tucumán. In mid-1972, she was invited by the Spanish Repertory Theater Company in New York to participate in a theater season at the Gramercy Arts Theater with "La valija" (The Suitcase). Upon its release, ''The
New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates three online sites: NYPost. ...
'' wrote: "Play with a hopeless character goes to the heart". Bence performed on tour at Rosary College Theater at the
University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public land-grant research university system with its main campus in Storrs, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School, named after two benefactors. In 1893, ...
,
Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
,
Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
and at the headquarters of the
Organization of American States The Organization of American States (OAS or OEA; ; ; ) is an international organization founded on 30 April 1948 to promote cooperation among its member states within the Americas. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, the OAS is ...
in
Washington, DC Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and Federal district of the United States, federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from ...
, where her audience was 1,200 spectators. When she performed through
Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
and in Miami, Howard Thompson of ''The New York Times'', titled his article, "Spanish Impact on Off Broadway" and continued, "Amelia Bence, an artist of strong mercurial quality and wonderfully expressive eyes, illuminates the scene and work ... She makes the role come alive, with eyes that tell the story of a tender woman, slightly naive and carefree. For her work, she won the
Association of Latin Entertainment Critics The Association of Latin Entertainment Critics (Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos de Nueva York, in Spanish) is a nonprofit cultural organization founded on December 12, 1967. The organization has bestowed the Latin ACE Awards (Premios AC ...
(ACE) award for Best Foreign Actress during a dinner held at the Commodore Hotel in New York. Back in Argentina, she did "La valija" with Justo José Rojas and Aldo Cura in
Santiago del Estero Santiago del Estero (, Spanish for ''Saint-James-Upon-The-Lagoon'') is the capital of Santiago del Estero Province in northern Argentina. It has a population of 252,192 inhabitants, () making it the twelfth largest city in the country, with a sur ...
,
Salta Salta () is the capital and largest city in the Provinces of Argentina, Argentine province of Salta Province, the same name. With a population of 618,375 according to the 2010 census, it is also the List of cities in Argentina, 7th most-populous ...
,
Jujuy San Salvador de Jujuy (), commonly known as Jujuy and locally often referred to as San Salvador, is the capital and largest city of Jujuy Province in northwest Argentina. Also, it is the seat of the Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department. It lies near ...
and Córdoba, touring for four months. In 1973, she made her first color film, ''
Adiós, Alejandra ''Adiós Abuelo'' (English language: ''Goodbye Alexandra, Andrea'') is a 1973 Argentine drama film directed by Carlos Rinaldi and written by Norberto Aroldi. The film starred Ángel Magaña and Raúl Padovani. Plot A bachelor makes his family b ...
'', after nearly four decades of making movies. Upon returning to the United States in September 1975, she opened "Doña Rosita, la soltera" by
Federico Garcia Lorca Federico (; ) is a given name and surname. It is a form of Frederick, most commonly found in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. People with the given name Federico Arts and language * Federico Ágreda, Venezuelan composer and DJ * Federico Aguil ...
and personally met four-time Oscar-winning actress,
Katharine Hepburn Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress whose Katharine Hepburn on screen and stage, career as a Golden Age of Hollywood, Hollywood leading lady spanned six decades. She was known for her headstrong ...
. At the request of the director, she took the show to Miami in September 1976 and stayed until early 1977, when she went to
Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...
to open "La esposa constante" at the Marsano Theater. In the early 1980s, Bence participated frequently on television, part of the main casts of '' Dulce fugitiva'', ''Romina'', ''
Bianca Bianca is a feminine given name. It means "white" and is an Italian cognate of Blanche. It is known in the Anglosphere as a character in William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew''. It came to greater notice in the 1970s, due to public fi ...
'' and '' Las 24 horas''. "La loba", which she performed in 1982 in Peru was one of her most famous theatrical successes and also aired on Peruvian television, under the same name coordinated by her former partner Osvaldo Cattone. In 1985, she starred in a Peruvian soap opera entitled '' La casa de enfrente'', which increased her popularity and the audiences of "La loba".


Later career

Bence's career began to decline around 1986, and she stopped receiving work proposals. The Argentina Actors Association said at the time that 86% of their members were unemployed; however, she was hired for one of the two lead roles in the 1987 production of "Solo 80". The play, by
Colin Higgins Colin Higgins (28 July 1941 – 5 August 1988) was an Australian-American screenwriter, actor, director, and producer. He was best known for writing the screenplay for the 1971 film '' Harold and Maude'', and for directing the films '' Foul Play ...
was presented at the Blanca Podestá Theater on Corrientes Avenue, with Bence playing the character of Harold's mother. The play received good reviews, but failed to attract an audience, and ended in February 1988. Bence spent almost two years out of work and in 1989 traveled to Cuba to attend the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, where she met
Fidel Castro Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (13 August 1926 – 25 November 2016) was a Cuban politician and revolutionary who was the leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2008, serving as the prime minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and President of Cuba, president ...
at a reception. Later that year, she was honored with the Silver Condor Award for Lifetime Achievement at the same ceremony where
Sabina Olmos Rosa Herminia Gómez Ramos (1913–1999), known by the stage name of Sabina Olmos, was an Argentine film actress of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. She began her career as a radio singer of folklore and tango. Later, she developed a long ...
was honored. In 1992, she also won the
Pablo Podestá Cecilio Pablo Fernando Podestá (22 November 1875, in Montevideo – 26 April 1923, in Buenos Aires) was a Uruguayan-Argentine stage actor, singer, acrobat, sculptor and painter. He is considered to be one of the most prominent actors of classica ...
Prize for Lifetime achievement, along with
Niní Marshall Marina Esther Traveso (June 1, 1903 – March 18, 1996), known by her stage name Niní Marshall, was an Argentine humorist, comic actress and screenwriter; nicknamed ''The Chaplin with a skirt'' and ''The Lady of Humour''. She is one of the m ...
and
Margarita Padín Margarita Padín (1910–1993) was an Argentine stage and film actress.Franco p.252 Selected filmography * ''Dancing'' (1933) * ''Melgarejo ''Melgarejo'' is a 1937 Argentine film directed and written by Luis Moglia Barth during the Golden Age ...
. In 1990, Bence was reunited with Closas to act in "Cartas de amor". She then embarked on the longest road tour of her life and spent the next 21 months (until November 1992) touring "Esta noche hablamos de amor" in Buenos Aires, Rosario, Córdoba, Mendoza and Mar del Plata. In 1993, she worked in television on a
telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar Drama (film and television), drama genres around the w ...
'' Esos que dicen amarse'', which starred Carolina Papaleo and Raúl Taibo. She had a supporting role in the series '' Con alma de tango'' (1995) alongside Luisa Kuliok and
Gerardo Romano Gerardo Romano (born 6 July 1946) is an Argentina, Argentine actor who has made some 45 appearances in mainstream film and television in Argentina since 1979. He is widely regarded as one of Argentina's leading actors. Romano has mostly appeared ...
, which had an international run throughout
Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...
and in some European countries such as Italy, Israel and Turkey. In 1998, Bence and
Libertad Lamarque Libertad Lamarque Bouza (; 24 November 1908 – 12 December 2000) was an Argentine and Mexican actress and singer, became one of the most iconic stars of the Golden Age of cinema in both Argentina and Mexico. She achieved fame throughout Latin A ...
received a Golden Ángel "Cholo" Peco award from the Society of Distributors of Newspapers and Magazines. She was part of the cast of the Teatro de la Ribera in 1998, playing in "Hoy ensayo Hoy", which brought together veteran actors Elena Lucena and
María Aurelia Bisutti María Aurelia Bisutti (June 20, 1930 – April 12, 2010) was an Argentine film and TV actress, with over 50 Argentine cinema and television credits between 1948 and 1993, as well as numerous roles in the theatre. Biography Born in Buenos Ai ...
. After participating in "Sin condena" and "Alta comedia" in the mid-1990s, she was hired in 1999 to do a play at the XIV International Festival of Hispanic Theater, but due to technical problems it was canceled. She persuaded Osvaldo Cattone to direct the play "Venecia", in which she starred in 2002 in
Lima Lima ( ; ), founded in 1535 as the Ciudad de los Reyes (, Spanish for "City of Biblical Magi, Kings"), is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón River, Chillón, Rímac River, Rímac and Lurín Rive ...
. In 2003, Bence ventured into children's theater with the work "Amor invisible" with
Gustavo Monje Gustavo Monje (born 8 June 1971) is an Argentine stage actor and director. He has also had minor roles in films like '' Burnt Money'' (2000) and '' Arregui, la noticia del día'' (2001), but his work is mainly in stage. In 2005 he appeared in ''Ste ...
. The play combined magic, dance, music and theater, recreating a fairyland. She returned to television in 2004 joining
Pablo Granados Pablo Granados (born September 13, 1965) is an Argentine actor, comedian and singer. Much of his work is in television, particularly for Canal 9 and América TV. He is well known for the 2004 series '' No hay 2 sin 3'', which aired on Canal 9. R ...
and
Pachu Peña Pachu Peña stage name of José María Peña (born August 23, 1962 in Rosario) is an Argentine comedian and actor who has performed work for television and film. In 2004 he appeared in '' No hay 2 sin 3'' with Pablo Granados and Amelia Bence. He ...
in the comic series ''No hay dos sin tres'', for which she was nominated in 2005 for the category of "Special Participation in Fiction" for the Martín Fierro Awards. In recent years, Bence has received many awards acknowledging her long career. In 2006, she was honored by the Actors Social Work (OSA) and in 2007, she received the inaugural Javolandia Award for lifetime achievement from the Javo Rocha Academy of Theater. She was given a certificate of recognition during the María Guerrero Awards ceremony in 2007 and in 2008 she received the Trinidad Guevara Achievement Award with Jorge Rivera López. In late 2009, a tribute in her honor was held by the Northern Region of the Argentine Society of Writers, in which the Mayor of San Isidro presented a poetry anthology and designated the hall with Bence's name. For 14 years, before a fall which caused a hip fracture, Bence put on her one-man-show, "Alfonsina". In April 2010 she fell and underwent surgery. In June 2011, Bence was declared Outstanding Personality of Argentine Culture under an initiative of Deputy Juan Pablo Arenaza. Soon after, with the help of Raul Etchelet, she published her memoirs, ''La niña del umbral: Amelia Bence: memorias'' (Corregidor 2011). In 2012, '' El día que cambió la historia'', a documentary filmed in 2010, was released. It was her first film in 40 years and was a film about the labor movement under the Perón regime.


Personal life

Her first partner was
Roberto Fernández Beyró Roberto Fernandez Beyro (1909–1991) was an Argentine journalist, restaurateur, and food critic who wrote a regular column in ''La Nación'' critiquing the lack of gastronomic traditions in Argentina. He was a member of several gourmet food clubs ...
, with whom she had a relationship from 1941 to 1944: The relationship ended when Fernandez Beyró asked her to give up her career. Two years later, during the filming of ''Maria Rosa'' (1946), she met the Spanish actor
Alberto Closas Alberto Closas Lluró (30 October 1921, in Barcelona – 19 September 1994, in Madrid) was a prolific Spanish film actor who appeared in the Cinema of Argentina in the 1940s and 1950s and in Spanish cinema after 1955. His family emigrated to ...
, whom she married in 1950. They formed an artistic partnership as well as being a married couple and worked on films and plays together. In 1953, Bence returned from working abroad to discover Closas was having an affair, and decided to end the marriage. Bence maintained a good relationship with Closas for the rest of his life; they even worked together again and she mourned his death in 1994. In the mid-1950s she had a brief romance with the writer José María Fernández Unsáin, until his exile to Mexico in 1958. From 1964 to 1970, she remained in a relationship with Osvaldo Cattone, who was 19 years her junior. He directed her in "Doña Rosita, la soltera" and she worked with him in Peru on several occasions. Her last husband was "Charlie" Ortiz Basualdo, whom she lived with from 1980 to 1982. Up until suffering a serious hip fracture she exercised regularly, performing yoga, and maintained a very active life combined with a healthy diet.


Death

Bence died on 8 February 2016 in Buenos Aires at the age of 101.


Legacy

Bence has left a film legacy stretching through eight decades. In 1973, she was awarded the keys to the city of
Miami Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...
during her season of "La valija". In 1981, the Pablo C. Ducrós Hicken Museum of the Cinema designated the Pathé Chamber to her in recognition of her stature as "a first figure of national cinema". In 1995, the Senate of the Nation of Argentina awarded a cultural diploma for her contributions to the culture of Argentina and two years later, the National Endowment for the Arts granted her a lifetime achievement award. She was also made an honorary member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina in 2007. During her career, she was described as "the face of Argentine film", and through the years, many hailed her as having "the most beautiful eyes in the world." Bence liked to tell a story that
Paul Newman Paul Leonard Newman (January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008) was an American actor, film director, race car driver, philanthropist, and activist. He was the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Paul Newman, numerous awards ...
once recounted that he wore sunglasses to hide his eyes so he would be known for his acting. She agreed that the work was the more important legacy. In November 2010, the journalist
Daniel Gómez Rinaldi Daniel Gómez Rinaldi: (born November 19, 1965, in San Martín, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine journalist who has worked as actor sometimes. Professional career Early years He studied journalism at the ''Instituto Grafotécnico o Escuela Super ...
published a book entitled ''Amelia Bence: Los ojos más lindos del mundo'', a biography of the actress.


Autobiography

*Bence, Amelia; Etchelet, Raúl. ''La niña del umbral: Amelia Bence: memorias'' Buenos Aires, Argentina: Corregidor (2011) (in Spanish)


Filmography


Films

* ''
Dancing Dance is an art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements or ...
'' (1933) * '' La fuga'' (1937) * '' El forastero'' (1937) * '' Adiós Buenos Aires'' (1938) * ''
La vuelta al nido ''La vuelta al nido'' is a 1938 Argentine psychological drama film written and directed by Leopoldo Torres Ríos and starring José Gola and Amelia Bence. Although upon its release it was harshly received by critics due to its slow and poetic to ...
'' (1938) * '' Los caranchos de la Florida'' (1938) * '' Hermanos'' (1939) * '' El matrero'' (1939) * '' El haragán de la familia'' (1940) * '' Novios para las muchachas'' (1941) * '' La casa de los cuervos'' (1941) * '' El tercer beso'' (1942) * '' En el viejo Buenos Aires'' (1942) * '' Cruza'' (1942) * ''
La guerra gaucha ''The Gaucho War'' (''La guerra gaucha'') is a Argentine films of 1942, 1942 Argentina, Argentine historical drama and epic film directed by Lucas Demare and starring Enrique Muiño, Francisco Petrone, Ángel Magaña, and Amelia Bence. It is one ...
'' (1942) * '' Son cartas de amor'' (1943) * ''Los ojos más lindos del mundo'' (1943) * '' Todo un hombre'' (1943) * '' Nuestra Natacha'' (1944) * '' Veinticuatro horas en la vida de una mujer'' (1944) * '' Camino del infierno'' (1945) * ''
Las tres ratas ''The Three Rats'' (Spanish:''Las Tres Ratas'') is a 1946 Argentine drama film of the Argentine classical cinema, classical era of Argentine cinema, directed by Carlos Schlieper and starring Mecha Ortiz, Amelia Bence and María Duval (Argentine act ...
'' (1946) * '' María Rosa'' (1946) * '' Lauracha'' (1946) * '' El pecado de Julia'' (1948) * '' A sangre fría'' (1947) * '' La otra y yo'' (1949) * '' La danza del fuego'' (1949) * '' La dama del collar'' (1949) * '' Romance en tres noches'' (1950) * ''
Mi mujer está loca ''Mi mujer está loca'' is a List of Argentine films of 1952, 1952 Argentine romantic comedy film of the Argentine classical cinema, classical era of Argentine cinema, directed by Carlos Schlieper and Enrique Cahen Salaberry, and starring Amelia Be ...
'' (1952) * ''La Parda Flora'' (1952) * '' Siete Mujeres'' (1953) * '' Las tres Elenas'' (1954) * '' El hombre que debía una muerte'' (1955) * '' Alfonsina'' (1957) * '' Dos basuras'' (1958) * '' De espaldas a la puerta'' (1959) * '' La cigarra no es un bicho'' (1963) * '' La industria del matrimonio'' (1964) * '' Los debutantes en el amor'' (1969) * ''
Adiós, Alejandra ''Adiós Abuelo'' (English language: ''Goodbye Alexandra, Andrea'') is a 1973 Argentine drama film directed by Carlos Rinaldi and written by Norberto Aroldi. The film starred Ángel Magaña and Raúl Padovani. Plot A bachelor makes his family b ...
'' (1973) * '' El día que cambió la historia'' (2012) (documentary)


Television

* ''Los premios Nobel'' (1958) (mini-series) * ''Topaze'' (1960) (mini-series) * ''Espectáculo eléctrico estándar'' (1965) (mini-series) * '' Dulce fugitiva'' (1979) * ''
Bianca Bianca is a feminine given name. It means "white" and is an Italian cognate of Blanche. It is known in the Anglosphere as a character in William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew''. It came to greater notice in the 1970s, due to public fi ...
'' (1980) * ''Romina'' (1980) * '' Las 24 horas'' (1981) * '' Esos que dicen amarse'' (1993) * '' Son o se hacen'' (1997) * '' No hay 2 sin 3'' (2004)


See also

*
List of centenarians (actors, filmmakers and entertainers) The following is a list of centenarians – specifically, people who became famous as actors, filmmakers and entertainers – known for reasons other than their longevity Longevity may refer to especially long-lived members of a population, w ...


References


Sources cited

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


External links

*
Profile of Amelia Bence
cinenacional.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Bence, Amelia 1914 births 2016 deaths 20th-century Argentine actresses 21st-century Argentine actresses Actresses from Buenos Aires Argentine women centenarians Argentine film actresses Argentine people of Belarusian-Jewish descent Jewish Argentine actresses Silver Condor Award for Best Actress winners Women autobiographers Burials at La Chacarita Cemetery Jewish centenarians