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Film Description
Set against the background of the political instability that led to the overthrow of the Allende government in 1973, this is a story of friendship between two boys from different social strata - a wealthy neighbourhood and a shantytown. Based on director Wood's childhood experiences, the film was voted the most popular film at the 2004 Vancouver Film Festival and was also a major box-office hit in Chile.
Set against the background of the political instability that led to the overthrow of the Socialist government of Salvador Allende in 1973, Andrés Woods' Machuca is the... more >
Set against the background of the political instability that led to the overthrow of the Socialist government of Salvador Allende in 1973, Andrés Woods' Machuca is the moving story of the friendship between two boys from different sides of the social spectrum. Gonzalo Infante (Matias Quer) is a chubby, red-faced 11-year old who attends St. Patrick's private school. He is shy and unexpressive and is often bullied at school. His life changes, however, when Father McEnroe (Ernesto Malbran), the priest who runs the school, opens St. Patrick's to those who are unable to pay, and Gonzalo develops a friendship with Pedro Machuca (Ariel Mataluna), a youngster who lives in a nearby shantytown. The inclusion of the marginal students causes unrest at the school. Fights break out between the two economic classes and parents hastily call meetings to voice their opposition to the "communist" priest. Gonzalo protects Pedro from the bullies and later visits Pedro in his home.
Though the relationship between the two boys develops naturally and their innocence allows them to see past the developing turmoil, the disturbing layers of adult events slowly begin to threaten their friendship. The onset of revolt is signaled by the arrival of two jets flying towards the Presidential Palace, a seminal event in Chile's history that marked the end of their short-lived freedom. Woods lets the facts speak for themselves, and Machuca makes its points with an emotional power unencumbered by bias or simplistic messages. The children are portrayed as simply children without the false glow of larger-than-life heroism. Although Machuca may ultimately have more of an impact for Chileans who experienced the coup directly, its theme of young people caught in the swirl of events beyond their understanding resonates far beyond the details of this single tragic moment in history.
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