Review of No (2012) by Ross B — 01 Jul 2013
Pablo Larrain directs this fascinating film based on the true events of those that worked on the campaign to overthrow Pinochet in Chile. In 1988, Chile was suffering under the rule of the military dictatorship run by Generalissimo Augusto Pinochet.
Under intense pressure from the outside world, Pinochet offered to call a plebiscite on his presidency, with the country voting YES or NO for 8 more years of his reign. In an attempt to make it all seem legitimate, he agreed to allow the NO campaign to have 15 minutes a day of TV time to say their message.
Rene Saavedra (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a local advertising artist who is hired by the NO campaign to try and convince people to vote Pinochet out. What follows is a truly amazing tale of how advertising was able to take away the fears of a nation and lead to the downfall of a dictator.
Bernal is amazing as Rene and the whole film is shot using cinematography that makes the film look older than it really is. The film splices the real advertisements and footage within the film's structure.
It is amazing to see such a revolution accomplished with no bloodshed whatsoever. A fine film that deserves more people seeing it.
This review of No (2012) was written by Ross B on 01 Jul 2013.
No has generally received positive reviews.
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