Link to watch: https://www.universcine.com/films/no-nos-moveran (France)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31113406/
Movie (summary):
"No nos moverán" (We Shall Not Be Moved) is a 2024 Mexican-French drama film directed by Pierre Saint-Martin Castellanos. It tells the story of Socorro, a stubborn 67-year-old lawyer obsessed with finding the soldier who killed her brother during the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico. Her lifelong pursuit of justice has strained her relationships with her sister and son. When she receives a crucial clue, Socorro embarks on an absurd and risky mission to avenge her brother's death.
Plot Summary:
Socorro, a determined lawyer in her late sixties, has dedicated her life to finding the soldier responsible for her brother's death during the Tlatelolco massacre of 1968. This decades-long obsession has negatively impacted her relationships with her sister Esperanza and her son Jorge. When a new piece of information surfaces about the potential whereabouts of the soldier, Socorro embarks on a farcical and perilous plan for revenge, jeopardizing her property, her family, and even her life.
Director's Vision:
Director Pierre Saint-Martin Castellanos was inspired by his mother's memories and experiences regarding the mysterious death of his uncle during the fall of 1968. He intended "No nos moverán" to be a story about revenge and forgiveness set in a country with a historical thirst for justice. While the subject matter is serious and related to a national tragedy, the director opted for an approach that blends elements of thriller, black comedy, and social satire, offering a different perspective on the events and the pursuit of justice.
Themes:
Based on the available information, the main themes of "No nos moverán" appear to be:
Justice and Impunity: The film explores the long and often frustrating quest for justice in the face of historical trauma and potential impunity for perpetrators.
Memory and Trauma: The lasting impact of the Tlatelolco massacre on individuals and families is a central theme, highlighting how historical events continue to shape the present.
Revenge vs. Forgiveness: The narrative grapples with the protagonist's desire for revenge and the potential need for forgiveness to move forward.
Family Relationships: The film examines how a lifelong obsession can affect familial bonds and the challenges of maintaining those relationships under the weight of personal trauma.
Satire and Social Commentary: The film uses humor and farcical situations to offer a satirical commentary on Mexican society, particularly in relation to its history and the pursuit of justice.
Key Success Factors:
Luisa Huertas' Performance: Luisa Huertas' portrayal of Socorro has been highly praised, winning her the Best Actress award at the Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival. Her performance likely grounds the film's blend of drama and comedy.
Unique Blend of Genres: The film's ability to effectively combine elements of thriller, black comedy, and social satire has been noted as a strength, offering a fresh perspective on a serious historical event.
Critical Acclaim in Film Festivals: The multiple awards and positive reception at various international film festivals indicate the film's quality and impact.
Summary Short:
Decades after her brother's death in the Tlatelolco massacre, an aging lawyer's obsessive pursuit of the responsible soldier leads her to concoct a ludicrous plan for revenge, jeopardizing everything she holds dear.
Awards and Nominations:
"No nos moverán" has received several awards and nominations, primarily within the Latin American film festival circuit. Notably, it won the Mezcal Award for Best Mexican Film and the Audience Award at the 2024 Guadalajara International Film Festival. At the Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival in 2024, Luisa Huertas won Best Actress, and Pierre Saint-Martin Castellanos won the Casa de Iberoamérica Award. The film was also nominated for Best Film at the same festival. Additionally, it won three awards at the Cinélatino, Rencontres de Toulouse festival: the Fiction Students' Award, the Critics' Award, and the CCAS Fiction Award. The film also received nominations at festivals like the Virginia Film Festival and the Trieste Film Festival of Latin American Cinema.
Critics Reception:
Critics' reception to "No nos moverán" has been largely positive, particularly within the context of Latin American cinema. Hasan Estudio highlights the film's success in receiving prestigious awards and notes that while addressing serious topics, it leaves room for humor, making it both moving and entertaining, inviting reflection on political repression and human rights in Mexico. Letras Libres praised the film for winning the Mezcal Award at Guadalajara, noting its solid thriller elements and stylistic nods to classic film noir, while also functioning as a funny social comedy, particularly in its portrayal of the protagonist's relationships. Overall, the film has been recognized for its unique approach to a historical tragedy, its blend of genres, and the strength of its performances.
Reviews:
Hasan Estudio: Commends the film for its ability to blend serious subject matter with humor, making it a moving and entertaining cinematic experience that encourages reflection on political repression in Mexico.
Letras Libres: Celebrates the film's win at the Guadalajara Film Festival, highlighting its solid thriller elements, noir influences, and its success as a funny social comedy, especially in depicting the protagonist's interactions.
Production:
"No nos moverán" is a Mexican-French co-production by Varios Lobos, with Víctor Léycegui listed in production credits. The film was produced with a budget of 500,000 Mexican pesos.
Production Companies:
Varios Lobos (Mexico)
Distribution Companies:
Bobine Films (Country not specified, likely involved in the French distribution given its premiere at the Viva México festival in Paris)
Pimienta Films (Mexico) is listed as a distribution company.
Theatrical Release:
"No nos moverán" premiered at the Guadalajara International Film Festival on June 15, 2024. It also premiered at the Viva México Film Festival in Paris on December 11, 2024.
Why to recommend this movie:
Unique Approach to a Historical Event: The film offers a fresh perspective on the Tlatelolco massacre by blending drama with elements of thriller and black comedy, providing a different lens through which to examine this tragedy.
Critically Acclaimed and Award-Winning: Its success in various film festivals, including winning Best Mexican Film at Guadalajara, speaks to its quality and impact.
Strong Central Performance: Luisa Huertas has been recognized for her compelling portrayal of the determined protagonist.
Why to Watch Movie:
Explores Themes of Justice and Memory: The film delves into the enduring quest for justice and the long-lasting impact of historical trauma, which are relevant and thought-provoking themes.
Offers a Glimpse into Mexican History and Culture: Set against the backdrop of a significant event in Mexican history, the film provides insights into the country's collective memory and its approach to seeking justice.
A Blend of Genres for Engaging Storytelling: The combination of thriller, comedy, and drama promises an engaging and multifaceted viewing experience.
What Movie Trend film is following:
Latin American Cinema Exploring Historical and Social Issues: "No nos moverán" aligns with a trend in Latin American cinema of filmmakers using narrative film to explore significant historical events and social issues within their national contexts, often blending genres to reach a wider audience.
Dark Comedy with Social Commentary: The film's use of dark comedy to address a serious historical event reflects a broader trend in independent cinema where filmmakers use humor to critique societal issues and engage with difficult topics in an accessible way.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Demand for Accountability and Justice for Historical Injustices: The film's focus on the pursuit of justice for the Tlatelolco massacre resonates with a global social trend of increasing demands for accountability and recognition of historical injustices and human rights violations.
Final Verdict:
"No nos moverán" appears to be a compelling and unique film that successfully blends genres to explore the enduring impact of a historical tragedy and the complexities of seeking justice. With critical acclaim and awards from film festivals, it suggests a strong narrative and performances, particularly from lead actress Luisa Huertas. It's a film that promises to be both thought-provoking and engaging, offering a distinct perspective on Mexican history and the timeless themes of memory, justice, and forgiveness.
Recommendations for Film Makers:
Consider Blending Genres to Approach Sensitive Historical Topics: The film's success in combining thriller, comedy, and drama suggests that using genre blending can be an effective way to engage with difficult historical events and reach a broader audience.
Focus on Strong Character Development: The narrative seems heavily driven by the protagonist's compelling character and her unwavering determination, highlighting the importance of well-developed characters in impactful storytelling.
Explore Local Historical Events with Universal Themes: By grounding the story in the specific context of the Tlatelolco massacre, the film touches upon universal themes of justice, memory, and family, demonstrating how local histories can resonate with global audiences.
Recommendations for Movie Industry:
Support the Distribution of Latin American Films with Social Relevance: Films like "No nos moverán" offer valuable cultural and historical insights and deserve wider distribution to international audiences.
Recognize and Promote Films that Take Unique Genre Approaches: The film's successful blend of genres demonstrates the potential for innovation in storytelling, and the industry should encourage and support such creative endeavors.
Continue to Provide Platforms for Films that Address Historical Injustices: Cinema plays a crucial role in keeping historical memory alive and fostering dialogue about past events; the industry should continue to support films that engage with these important narratives.
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