Review of Machuca (2004) by Trace C — 12 Jun 2007

Imagine yourself in a world out of control. A world which you are a part of, but where you are helpless to make a difference. A world where all you can do is watch (probably not that much of a stretch). This is where this friendship and story begin.

The setting is the historical reality of the September 11, Chilean military coup of 1973. The story lies simply in the relationship of two childhood friends, who should have never been. These two young boys coming from two separate social classes would have never met had it not been for the attempts of schools such as St. George's to develop some type of social harmony. These two boys are thrown together from two separate worlds, yet are still able to become friends. Through eyes of each other they see the differences in each of their worlds, but they are children and can look past the social constructs to see their individual humanity. However, at the same time the viewer sees the differences in the lives of these two boys and the conflict surrounding them, which will never allow the innocence of their friendship last.

Machuca is a picture that moves ones soul. It makes one aware of the social discontinuity and injustices which existed within Chile in 1973 and still exist in the world around us all today. It makes one ashamed how anyone could let such travesties occur then and wonder how we can let similar events continue to occur today.

This movie is definitely worth a gander, but for those of us who live in the U.S. we will have to put in some work to find it.