Pepita, la pistolera: Lucía Puenzo film explores true story of Margarita Di Tullio

The film ‘Pepita, la pistolera’, directed by Lucía Puenzo and starring Luisana Lopilato, is a dramatic thriller inspired by the real-life story of Margarita Di Tullio. Set in 1985 in the suburbs of Mar del Plata, Argentina, the narrative explores the period of democratic reconstruction following years of military rule.

The story follows Margarita, a sex worker facing exploitation and violence under a criminal boss. After becoming pregnant, she seeks to dismantle the illegal business and escape her circumstances. The plot incorporates elements of tension, including the threat of a suspected serial killer known as ‘Loco de la Ruta’ and the internal struggle of a protagonist who evolves from a victim to a figure of power.

The film focuses on the months leading up to the real-life events in 1985, when Di Tullio killed three men in self-defense, an incident that eventually led to her imprisonment. The production is noted for its period recreation and its exploration of complex themes such as survival, patriarchy, and moral ambiguity.