MACHUCA

Chile, 2004, 117 minutes, Colour.
Matias Cuer, Ariel Mateluna, Manuela Martelli.
Directed by Andres Wood.

A film well worthwhile catching.

English-speaking audiences do not have access to many films from Chile. Movie knowledge of Chile might come, especially for the Allende period and the subsequent takeover by the military and General Pinochet in 1973, from Costa Gavras’ Missing (1982) or Ken Loach’s segment in 11-9-2001, reminding audiences that the 1973 coup took place on September 11th.

Here is the real thing. Andres Wood, a Chilean writer-director, some years younger than the children he creates for the film, offers Chileans and the world an opportunity to reflect on the events of the 1970s. Affectingly acted, especially by the three central children, realistically and credibly dramatised, it recreates Chilean society and political tensions at the end of the Allende era. Protests are held against the Communists. In other parts of the city, there are pro-Allende demonstrations. Children still go to school. The poor remain impoverished and marginalised. The rich carry on oblivious.

The takeover by Pinochet occurs off screen with only a speech seen on television. However, the change comes home strongly as the newly-empowered military attack alleged communists, women and children, in the shantytowns.

However, the bulk of the film is about three youngsters, one rich, two poor, growing up, observing the adults, becoming friends – but with final tragedy and betrayals. Machuca (the name of the poor boy) is worth seeing for this portrait of schooldays alone: classes, bullying in the yard, afterschool selling flags at (both) demonstrations, visiting each other’s homes, kissing by the river, defending and hurting each other.

Machuca received the SIGNIS award at the Havana Film Festival, 2004, for its fresh look at Chilean history in the 70s, for its portrayal of human values of growth and friendship. Given the exceedingly bad press that Catholic priests have received in recent years because of abuse, it is something of a relief to see the priests who run the private school branded as ‘Reds’ because they want to mix poor students with the rich and advocate social justice as well as standards of behaviour. In fact, the film is dedicated to Fr Gerardo Whelan who was the rector of the actual St Patrick’s College from 1969-1973

1. A film designed for Chilean audiences, for world audiences? The director and his work, his point of view, Chilean background, American training? His films?

2. The 70s, turmoil in Latin America, Marxism, capitalism, clashes, the Hispanic heritage, the military rule? Violence and consequences?

3. Allende and his three years, the glimpse of the visit to Russia? The capitalist rebellion, the US backing, the coup, General Pinochet? The demonstrations? The language of each party, the gulfs between them?

4. The re-creation of the 70s, the world of the rich, the poor? The city, school, homes, roads, graffiti, the river? The musical score, songs?

5. The film dedicated to Father Whelan? St Patrick’s College, Father Mc Enroe and the staff? The lay staff? The role of the Catholic private school, the tradition for the wealthy? The new policy, introducing the poor boys, mixing them, even in the classroom? Father Mc Enroe as a character, his appearance, beard, dress? Speaking in Spanish and English? With the boys, the talks in the classroom, the discipline for the hooliganism, the exercise and the races? The priests being called Red? The takeover by the military? Father Mc Enroe going into the chapel, consuming the Blessed Sacrament, saying that this was no longer a holy place? Machuca and his leading the boys and staff in saying goodbye? Father Mc Enroe as the conscience of the film?

6. The portrait of Gonsalo, his point of view, getting dressed, audience suspicious about his mother on the bed, his place in the family, sister, father, going to school, quiet, the new boys introduced, the classes? In the yard, the confrontation with Machuca, his being urged to hit him, refusing? The taunts of the boys, “faggot” etc? His mother and her relationship with Roberto, making him complicit, the books on the Lone Ranger? At home, with his father, sister and her boyfriend? His friendship with Machuca, going to his house, the meeting of the girl? Her taunts? Taking the lift, selling the flags – and both political demonstrations? The growth in friendship? Her calling him a snob? Their talking together, helping at school, Gonsalo helping Peter with his work? The party at his house, the drinking? Their overhearing the mother’s and father’s quarrel? The change, the taunts? The drinking of the condensed milk – and the kisses? The demonstration and his mother’s behaviour, especially towards the girl? His being ashamed, running away? The clashes with Peter? Their fight, the boys in front of Father Mc Enroe? The coup, his visiting the poor area, seeing the soldiers, denying that he belonged there, bicycling away? Back to his ordinary life, wealth, school? His ruining the exam page of the bully? His future?

7. Peter Machuca and the other boys, servants, going to class, the taunts, Machuca having to shout his name? Tough? His giving the lift to Gonsalo, the selling of the flags, the girl, their all becoming friends? The test and Gonsalo’s help? At his place, going to Gonsalo’s sister’s party? Each respecting the other, the night over, the Lone Ranger books, overhearing the quarrel? The growth in friendship and the being together, the kissing of the girl? The changes, the demonstration, his seeing Gonsalo’s mother attack the girl? The change, disappointment, confrontation, looking at Gonsalo as he denied him?

8. The girl, not going to school, her taunts of Gonsalo as a snob, flaunting herself, flirting, talk, the condensed milk, the kisses of both? Demonstrating, her life at home? The conversations with Gonsalo about the future? Their both saying they wanted to be priests – and the discussion about not marrying? Her final demonstration in the protests, the attack by the women, her spitting, Gonsalo’s mother? The soldiers attacking – her insulting them, her being shot?

9. Gonsalo’s family, his mother and her relationship with Roberto, Roberto’s Argentinian background, his family? Gonsalo being made to be part of the affair? The contrast with home, the father and his working for the FAO, going to Rome, the possibility of migrating? His sister, her boyfriend? The demonstrations, Gonsalo’s mother and her rabid attitude? Her sister’s boyfriend and his uniform, the Fascist touch? The father packing, Gonsalo’s love for his father? The party, his coming home after the shooting, being waited on by the servant?

10. The picture of the poor, the mother with the baby, the father and his brutality, drinking? His speech about Gonsalo and his future, the contrast with Peter always cleaning toilets? The soldiers’ attack?

11. The takeover of the school, the military, the ousting of the priests, the assembly in the chapel, classes? Gonsalo and the last test? The teacher and her being in support of the priests and of Gonsalo?

12. Seeing General Pinochet, the change for the poor, the comfort of the rich, the military dictatorship, the effect on Chile – as seen in the retrospect of the 21st century?