The Unforgettable Tragedy of Fernando Báez Sosa: A Deep Dive into Netflix’s ’50 Segundos’

The name Fernando Báez Sosa resonates with profound sorrow across Argentina and beyond. A promising 18-year-old, his life was brutally cut short during a fateful vacation with friends in January 2020. What began as a joyous trip to Villa Gesell transformed into a national tragedy, cementing his story as one of the most impactful cases in recent memory. Now, Netflix revisits this haunting event with “50 segundos: el caso Fernando Báez Sosa,” a compelling docuseries that peels back the layers of that horrific night and the subsequent quest for justice.

The Fateful Night in Villa Gesell

On that chilling night, outside the Le Brique nightclub in Villa Gesell, Fernando Báez Sosa was subjected to a savage beating by a group of rugby players. The attack, lasting mere seconds, ended his life and ignited a firestorm of public outrage. This incident transcended a simple crime; it became a symbol of societal concerns surrounding violence, privilege, and accountability. The media whirlwind, the intense social reaction, and the arduous judicial process have kept Fernando’s memory, and the pursuit of justice, alive.

“50 Segundos”: A Loop of Horror

The Netflix docuseries, directed by Martín Rocca, zeroes in on the excruciating ’50 seconds’ that defined Fernando’s last moments. As noted by Facundo Pedrini, news director at Crónica TV, in the production, “It was a crime that lasted 50 seconds, but it was a looped murder. After those 50 seconds, the video would start over and over again. So Fernando never stopped dying.” This chilling description encapsulates the repetitive, inescapable horror etched into the collective memory through widely circulated videos. The series forces viewers to confront the brutality, much as the public did during the trial for Fernando Báez Sosa’s murder.

The Landmark Trial and its Verdict

From January 2 to February 6, 2023, the Court in Dolores, Argentina, became the epicenter of a nation’s attention. The trial for the murder of Fernando Báez Sosa saw intense scrutiny and powerful testimonies. Ultimately, five of the eight accused – Máximo Thomsen, Ciro Pertossi, Enzo Comelli, Matías Benicelli, and Luciano Pertossi – received life sentences for aggravated homicide, marked by premeditation and treachery. The remaining three – Blas Cinalli, Lucas Pertossi, and Ayrton Viollaz – were sentenced to 15 years for secondary participation. The verdict, though offering a measure of justice, left an indelible mark on all involved in the Argentine justice system.

Breaking the Silence: Accused Testimonies

A pivotal, and deeply unsettling, aspect explored in the docuseries is the moment five of the eight convicted individuals chose to speak publicly. Their testimonies, marked by serious gazes, tears, and expressions of alleged remorse, sparked a heated debate: were these genuine apologies or calculated performances? Enzo Comelli, identified by witnesses as the one who struck Fernando first, recounted feeling like he was ‘in a movie,’ surrounded by cameras and shouts of ‘murderer.’ Blas Cinalli echoed this sentiment, describing the intense media exposure as feeling like being ‘in a zoo.’

Luciano Pertossi articulated his perception that the judgment was skewed, stating, “I understood that I was in a trial, that a person died, I understand that it is judged, but my feeling is that it was judged, on the other hand.” His brother, Ciro Pertossi, acknowledged, “We were already condemned beforehand, it was impossible for us to come out of there with something in our favor.” Yet, Ciro’s facade crumbled when speaking of his father, who defended him in court, expressing gratitude for his unwavering support. Luciano also highlighted the anguish of seeing their father testify, adding another layer to the complex narrative of the Fernando Báez Sosa case.

Máximo Thomsen: Remorse or Regret?

Máximo Thomsen, identified as delivering the fatal kick, spoke with a broken voice, expressing a wish for the trial to start sooner and acknowledging, “Bad things don’t just happen, the problem is when we do things without thinking, that’s when tragedies happen.” When confronted about his mother’s belief in his innocence, Thomsen admitted, “Mommy, I was there. I don’t want you to have any surprises about anything.” He candidly revealed telling her everything from the start, recognizing the need for honesty if he had done something wrong.

In a moment of profound reflection, Thomsen concluded, “One does things for social acceptance, to make oneself valuable, when in reality we are all wrong, because to be valuable is to be respectful, not to seek conflict and to leave, because one never knows where it can end.” This sentiment, from one of the central figures in the tragedy, adds another complex layer to the docuseries’ exploration of the Fernando Báez Sosa case.

Damning Evidence: The Unseen Details

Beyond the testimonies, the docuseries powerfully re-presents some of the most damning evidence from the trial. A supermarket security camera video, chillingly shown again, captures three of the accused being intercepted by police, with Ciro Pertossi seen conspicuously licking his knuckles – an act believed to be an attempt to clean Fernando’s blood. Further investigations into their cell phones revealed Ciro’s desperate Google searches for ‘Villa Gesell fight’ seven times between 6:21 AM and 10:16 AM, clearly indicating an awareness and attempt to track the aftermath of the brutal attack. These pieces of evidence proved crucial in the rugby players’ trial.

Graciela Sosa: A Mother’s Unending Grief

Perhaps the most poignant part of the ’50 segundos’ docuseries is the raw, unvarnished pain of Graciela Sosa, Fernando’s mother. She recounts her last conversation with her only son, a seemingly innocent exchange before his vacation. Fernando had told her this would be his ‘last trip’ with friends, as they would soon embark on different life paths. Graciela had dismissed it then, but now, it echoes as a heartbreaking premonition. Her testimony is a powerful reminder that beyond the legal battles and media spectacle, lies the immense, enduring grief of a family shattered by senseless violence.

The Legacy of Fernando Báez Sosa

The case of Fernando Báez Sosa continues to serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the imperative for justice. The Netflix docuseries ’50 segundos’ not only ensures that Fernando’s story remains in the public consciousness but also provides a deeper, more intimate look into the events, the trial, and the human cost of that tragic night in Villa Gesell. It’s a call for reflection, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring such senseless acts are met with unwavering justice.