The Road to San Diego - Plot Outline

The action takes place in the jungle in Argentina's north-eastern region. There, in a precarious hut, lives Tati Benítez (Ignacio Benítez) with his family.

Tati has lost his job in the lumber company. Now he helps Silva, an old sculptor, for whom he searches the woods looking for trunks, branches and roots that can be used for his works of art. In return, he makes a small percentage of the sales to the few tourists who visit the market in a neighbouring town. Like most Argentines, Tati adores Diego Armando Maradona. The walls of his home are lined with pictures of his idol and he keeps, as his most valuable treasure, the ticket to the stadium on the day he saw Maradona in action, when Maradona played in Corrientes Province with the football team, Boca.

In spite of his dramatic economic situation, Tati maintains his cheerful spirit. There is yet another reason for him to be optimistic: he has found a gigantic timbo-tree stump (a typical tree from the area) in a shape he finds resembles Maradona. He will try to personally deliver the piece to Diego. The word "personally" makes a deep impression on everybody, because meeting Diego would be the dream of Tati's life.

The sudden news of Diego's being admitted to the Swiss-Argentine Hospital of Buenos Aires due to cardiac problems is enough for Tati to start his great adventure with the blessing of his wife and friends, such as Mrs. Matilde who, besides having a grocery store and being the local midwife, is the town's psychic. He crosses the jungle on foot, carrying the sculpture wrapped in newspaper and a bag with other carvings he hopes to sell. On the road he meets Waguinho, and thus starts his voyage that is full of surprises and encounters. Will he be able to deliver the sculpture to his idol?