"Chicuarotes"

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Photo courtesy of Chicuarotes

Chicuarotes

Cagalera and Moloteco are two teenagers living in a working-class neighborhood of Mexico City. They dream of traveling far, far away to see the ocean. Since the working opportunities are very scarce, the boys make some money by robbing and doing other petty crimes. They both come from broken homes with an environment of latent violence, the two friends are presented with an opportunity to change their lives and start a business, for which they would need a large sum of money. To do so, their only viable option is through crime, so they decide to kidnap the son of the butcher. With this kidnapping, things begin to spiral out of control and the boys find themselves far along a path of destruction and violence from which there is no turning back.

Twelve years after his directorial debut, Déficit, actor-turned-filmmaker Gael García Bernal comes up with this solid second fiction film. Taking its title from the name given to the residents of San Gregorio Atlapulco in the borough of Xochimilco, Chicuarotes immerses the audience in the world of criminals and outcasts in a slum of Mexico City. Striking a balance between drama, comedy, and thriller, the film bears the mark of García Bernal’s personal vision, with influences from Buñuel and typical elements of magical realism. With a cast that combines first-time actors full of raw energy and seasoned stars such as Dolores Heredia and Daniel Giménez Cacho, García Bernal provides an authentic perspective into this Mexican neighborhood and takes us for a ride as dramatic events and adventures unfold on-screen. After its screening at festivals such as Cannes, Toronto, and San Sebastián, Chicuarotes lands at Americana to be enjoyed by all.

Language: original version (Spanish).

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