Film Movement has acquired North American rights to Clandestine Childhood (Infancia Clandestina), the debut feature from Argentina’s Benjamin Avila.

Luis Puenzo (The Official Story) produces the Spanish-language drama about an adolescent boy’s view of political militants during late 1970s Argentina.

It played in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and will play in both San Sebastian and Toronto. Its New York theatrical opening is planned for November 2012, with a limited rollout to follow nationwide, as well as day-and-date VOD launch.

The deal was negotiated by Film Movement’s President Adley Gartenstein and VP of Acquisitions and Distribution Rebeca Conget, and Head of Sales Lucero Garzon of Pyramide International.

“There have been many films made about this time in Argentinean history, but Benjamin Avila’s visceral debut infuses a warmth and humor and overall humanity into this political story that reveal a very personal point of view we have not found before. The use of animation to diffuse the most violent scenes is brilliant, and the ending won’t leave anyone unmoved,” said Conget.