Goodbye to Rómulo Berruti, the man who brought cinema to TV and who made film reviews a series of well-told stories

If someone was putting together a special for 75 years of Argentine television -which will be fulfilled on October 17, 2026- his name should not be missing, under any circumstances. Not because he died this Monday, but because His time on the small screen with that cycle of prestige and popularity called Private Function left an indelible mark on viewers..

It was like go to the cinema without leaving home and, in addition, learn the story behind the chosen film, told by two specialized journalists, far from the pedestal: sitting in an armchair or at the bar, next to the frapera, a bottle of champagne, two glasses, the photo of Marilyn Monroe and the unmistakable music of Amarcordone of the classics of Federico Fellini. The song composed by Nino Rota and the magic began public function.

What they proposed Every Saturday night Berruti and his friend Carlos Morelli was a great plan for those who did not plan to go out, and many other times, he officiated beforehand. It was like a date to watch a good movie and listen to those in the know. It was a ritual. This program has not aired for 25 years and, nevertheless, it remained in the memory of many. It aired on ATC from 1983 to the end of ’94. And then it moved to the Space signal, until 2001.

Were two very cultured guys, who didn’t party. On the contrary: they were two art scholars (theater was another of their passions) who took you by the hand through the world of cinema. With what was seen and with what was not. They were as good at handling cameras as they were at information. And most of the film’s protagonists wanted to be invited.

In television terms, Private function was to cinema what Fútbol de Primera was to football. a classic.

Until now -Monday afternoon- The causes of his death, which occurred this Sunday at the age of 88, are unknown.. The news was made public by the Argentine Association of Actors: “With deep regret we say goodbye to Rómulo Berruti, a prominent journalist specialized in culture and entertainment, whose career left an indelible mark on the dissemination of theater, cinema and artistic activity in our country”.

Quicklythe networks and radio and television programs were filled with emotional messages to bid him farewell appropriately, in an era of communication that seemed traversed by fleeting nature.. Here, in this case, there was respect and memory for a gentleman from the media, who began his career in 1960, writing for newspapers The World and Criticism. He also worked on several radio and TV channels, such as the state channel, Channel 13 and cable signals.

had in Clarion his highest point as a print journalist being, for more than two decades, head of the Entertainment section. The same one that now says goodbye to him from these lines.

Other jobs also appear on his roadmap, such as his participation in the air clan on Radio Miter, Good afternoon, nice to meet youon Channel 13.

In ’77, Morelli and Berruti premiered on Channel 7 Microcinema 7in times of microprograms at dawn. Without knowing it, they were giving shape to what was called in 1983 private function.

Little was revealed about his private life: his childhood postcards include theatrical outings with his uncle Alejandro. And he liked to talk little about his loves, but He did proudly mention two relationships with actresses: Constanza Maral and María Fiorentino.

Among all the tributes this Monday, that of his teammate stood out Carlos Morelliwho in Facebook wrote a text titled “See you Saturday, Romulo”a catchphrase of the program. And then, among many other paragraphs, he recalled the history of that bond: “We had met in 1965, and in Mar del Plata. At that time, he was a theater critic for Clarín and I collaborated in La Nación, doing film reviews and notes for the weekend “gravure.” There and then we had gone, almost in professional vacation mode, invited to the presentation of a magazine show produced by the Teatro Maipo in Buenos Aires. So, between feathers and political monologues, our friendship, our coincidences and our small, happy story in society would begin.”.

And it continues: “Two years later, Rómulo Berruti ‘took me’ to his newspaper, which I entered as an ‘aspirant’ and would become Pro-Editorial Secretary in charge of the Entertainment Supplement, always counting on him as Head of Section. At the same time, we would both continue to actively practice in those pages as critics, in our respective specialties (…) Until that afternoon in 1983 when the remembered Miguel Ángel MerellanoGeneral Director of the state channel once the resurrection of democracy in the country was completed, called us to tell us: ‘Guys: from now on, Argentine cinema. With the best of the best. The new and, especially, the old that TV never showed. Without fear of the production date or black and white. Oh!: and they are going to go on Saturdays and during central time. If you like it, fine. And if not… Of course: you give the title. You have one hour to decide‘”.

It didn’t take long for them to say yes, at a table at Rond Point, an exquisite confectionery just meters from ATC.. And how well they did.

And Morelli’s post closes with a “Now, Rómulo left us. And the emptiness is as abysmal as it is painful. But also the memory is as indelible as it is stimulating. That’s why I prefer to return to that past that is confused with the present, raise with my friend and my partner the glass at the end of each broadcast, and say goodbye, barely, until next Saturday.”

In October 2024, the Association of Television and Radio Journalists of Argentina (APTRA) chose them to deliver, together, the statuette to the career to Norman Briski in the first ceremony of the entity to the cinema. They went on stage, Nino Rota’s classic played and more than one raised their glass of champagne as a nod to that Saturday night date.. There will no longer be a function.