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'No.' Queremos Paz

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The first Chilean film ever to be nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar is Pablo Larraín's No, which revolves around the 1988 Chilean national plebiscite of General Augusto Pinochet for another 8-year term as Chile's President. Pinochet had forcefully taken over control of Chile in 1973, overthrowing Salvador Allende's socialist government. In this referendum, the public is asked to vote a controversial "yes" or "no" to continue the military dictatorship that has existed in their country for the past fifteen years. A political retelling without the fluff and glamorization, Larraín blends together actual found footage through the advertising campaigns of both parties in this examination of the ad tactics used to bring a nation to a decision for their country. Gael García Bernal plays an in-demand advertising executive who is persuaded by the opposing side to run the No campaign, which aims to get rid of Pinochet and expose his fraud by getting the message to the people of Chile. Bernal is no rookie to politically charged cinema (Fidel, The Motorcycle Diaries), as he plays the role with a gentle conviction. Utilizing the right juxtaposition of images, political campaigning proves to be highly persuasive. No is filmed in documentary style with a slight shaky camera effect, giving the film an uncommon look in the age of HD, 3D, and all those other D's. Think antenna television news of the 80s - grainy and uncrisp - real. An interesting premise to watch the future of a country and its people reliant on the conclusion of a series of images. Will the chosen images by advertising executives change people's decision to a "no?"   

Chile, la alegria ya viene...
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  1. AnonymousMarch 28, 2013 at 1:02 PM

    Hello Natalie, looks an interesting film, I thought Gael García Bernal was great in the Motor Cycle Diaries. You have persuaded me.

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    1. Peculiar ReviewerMarch 28, 2013 at 2:25 PM

      Thanks for reading! Gael is a great actor and the reason I saw this film! Get updates of reviews by following Natalie Would Talk!

      Delete
  2. UnknownApril 2, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    It sounds like an exciting film with lots of intrigue! Very nice blog!

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    1. Peculiar ReviewerApril 2, 2013 at 9:34 AM

      Much thanks Sally! Please follow my blog to catch up on only the best in movies and TV!

      Delete

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