Director: María Alché, Benjamín Naishtat
A modest philosophy professor's long-awaited promotion turns into an unexpected rivalry the moment an old, more magnetic colleague strolls back into the department in Puan, the 2023 Argentine comedy from Maria Alche and Benjamin Naishtat.
What is Puan about?
Marcelo Pena has spent years quietly earning his place at the University of Buenos Aires, and the head of the Philosophy Department chair finally seems within reach after the sudden death of its longtime occupant. Just as the position seems settled, Professor Sujarchuk — charismatic, well-traveled, and recently returned from Europe — arrives to claim it for himself, treating the department as though it were simply waiting for him all along. Marcelo, unused to competing so openly for anything, finds himself pulled into a low-key but increasingly absurd contest over academic standing, institutional politics, and personal pride. The story unfolds with a dry, observational sense of humor, using the rivalry to poke gentle fun at intellectual vanity and the small, everyday compromises of academic life.
Cast & crew
Marcelo Subiotto plays Marcelo Pena with a quiet, put-upon sincerity that makes his growing frustration land as both funny and oddly touching. Leonardo Sbaraglia leans into Sujarchuk's easy charisma, making him just magnetic enough that his sense of entitlement feels believable rather than cartoonish. Julieta Zylberberg and Alejandra Flechner add sharp supporting turns as colleagues navigating the same academic environment, while Andrea Frigerio and Cristina Banegas round out a cast that keeps the humor understated rather than broad.
Context & significance
Puan is a multinational co-production between Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Italy, released in 2023 and set almost entirely within the halls, offices, and seminar rooms of a public university's philosophy department. The filmmakers use that closed academic world to explore bigger questions about relevance, legacy, and who gets taken seriously in institutions that prize prestige as much as ideas. The film runs 107 minutes and holds a 6.5 rating on IMDb, with dialogue in Spanish throughout.
Where & how to watch
Puan is available to stream on K-Time with a free account login, offering both Persian-dubbed audio and Persian subtitles for viewers who want either format. The platform's Farsi-first interface makes it easy to find the title and start watching right after signing in, with no extra steps required.