Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Read Time:3 Minute, 53 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Mexico 86
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): César Diaz
Writer(s): César Díaz
Cast: Bérénice Bejo, Matheo Labbe, Leonardo Ortizgris, Julieta Egurrola, Fermín Martínez
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Locarno International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: In MEXICO 86, we are swept into Maria’s (Bérénice Bejo) turbulent world. She is a determined activist from Guatemala forced to seek safety in Mexico. This shift changes her location and brings her into a decade-long separation from her son, Marco (Matheo Labbé), magnifying the personal and political stakes.

MEXICO 86, directed by César Díaz, is a profound narrative of struggle, sacrifice, and resilience, painted against the harsh realities of political strife. The film builds on Díaz's reputation for creating compelling, thought-provoking cinema, as established with his previous works. Here, Béjo, as Maria, embodies the spirit and turmoil of a woman who navigates the treacherous waters of maternal duty and revolutionary fervor with finesse and depth.

Virginie Surdej's cinematography crafts the film’s atmospheric tension, capturing stark landscapes and intimate moments with equal prowess. Rémi Boubal’s score adds layers of emotion and depth, flowing through scenes with a haunting resonance that underscores the film’s dramatic arcs.

The historical backdrop of the Guatemalan Civil War provides a setting and acts as a character in its own right, influencing decisions and destinies. The script cleverly integrates these historical elements, offering a canvas reflecting broader socio-political events' impacts. This dynamic is portrayed through Maria and her son's strained yet profound relationship, encapsulating the sacrifices entwined with activism.

MEXICO 86 is not just a film but a narrative mosaic of high stakes and higher ideals. The international collaboration behind its production speaks to the global resonance of its theme—struggle and sacrifice are universal. Premiering at the Locarno Film Festival, the film will touch a chord with audiences and be praised for its gritty realism and emotional honesty.

As Maria, Béjo delivers a powerhouse performance that captures the essence of a revolutionary's heart conflicted by maternal instincts. Her portrayal is nuanced, bringing to life the internal battles of a woman who fights for the world's future while wrestling with her past.

Díaz’s direction ensures that the story of MEXICO 86 does not just tell of past events but invites the audience to feel, reflect, and react. The film challenges viewers to consider the cost of activism, primarily through a maternal lens, and re-evaluates traditional roles in the light of personal sacrifice.

In this cinematic endeavor, every frame is charged with the intensity of its narrative. The scenes are not merely shot but are crafted with a painter's precision, with each shot contributing to a giant portrait of life amidst turmoil. The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to absorb the gravity of the character's decisions and the ripple effects they trigger.

MEXICO 86 transcends its historical setting to deliver a timeless exploration of human resilience and the quest for justice. It is a film that challenges, enlightens, and inspires, cementing its place in the landscape of contemporary world cinema as a beacon for storytelling that dares to confront uncomfortable truths.

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[photo courtesy of MENUETTO FILM, NEED PRODUCTIONS, PIMIENTA FILMS, TRIPODE PRODUCTIONS, THE PR FACTORY]

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