Plot
Mexico City. 2002, 2006, 2010. A cop. A hostage. A wife. Corruption, violence, vengeance. Three destinies, during 30 days, during three Soccer World Cups. Three ways to fight in order to survive.
Release Year: 2011
Rating: 6.8/10 (566 voted)
Critic's Score: 55/100
Director: Everardo Valerio Gout
Stars: Carlos Bardem, Kristyan Ferrer, Tenoch Huerta
Storyline
Mexico City. 2002, 2006, 2010. A cop. A hostage. A wife. Corruption, violence, vengeance. Three destinies, during 30 days, during three Soccer World Cups. Three ways to fight in order to survive.
Writers: Everardo Valerio Gout, David Rutsala
Cast: Carlos Bardem -
Victima X
Kristyan Ferrer -
Iguana /
Doroteo
Tenoch Huerta -
Teacher /
Lupe
José Alberto Solorzano -
Doroteo 9 años
Javier López -
Niño Asustado
Mario Zaragoza -
Melquiades
Sonia Couoh -
Esperanza
Areli Flores -
Emiliano Bebé
Valeria Galiendo -
Emiliano Bebé
Jorge Roldan -
Don Rigo
Jorge Adrián Espíndola -
Rafa
(as Adrián Espíndola)
Dolores Heredia -
Susana
Eileen Yañez -
Maxedonia
Marco Pérez -
Gabino
Miguel Rodarte -
Testigo
Filming Locations: Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Technical Specs
Runtime:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 8/10
The basic idea of this multi-layered Mexican crime-thriller is the
notion that during the 30 days of the World Cup both police and
criminals drop their guards but this can sometimes end very badly
indeed. The film is set during the days of three World Cups – 2002
(Japan/South Korea), 2006 (Germany) and 2010 (South Africa) – and the
action takes place in the streets of Mexico City. In truth, it's not
immediately obvious that the time-line is staggered in this way and
it's quite easy to get mixed up. Events are so inter-linked and similar
it would be quite easy to think everything was occurring
simultaneously. But one of the best things about this impressive film
is how everything comes together by the end. It's a very clever conceit
to stage the film in this way (although an obvious drawback would be
that someone who is not familiar with the way the World Cups fall
chronologically might be forgiven for being somewhat confused!).
It's got a real mean energy to it. I won't reveal plot details as I
think it's best to discover this one with as little prior prompting but
suffice to say there are kidnappings, a tough cop, a prostitute
gang-leader and lots of corruption. The mean streets of Mexico are
utilised to great effect with some very kinetic camera-work, one
particularly audacious shot travels up from ground level and into a
first floor window, through a couple of rooms and out another window
and back down to ground level where it then follows a chase between a
policeman and a criminal. The soundtrack, which also includes music
from the likes of Massive Attack, has a very energetic Mexican vibe as
well that provides barrow-loads of atmosphere to proceedings too.
This one has that very specific Latin American energy that is so
seductive. There have been several such films since the millennium and
this is another in this cycle. It's a very impressive and thrilling
movie that may take a little time to take hold of you but bear with it
and the ride is well worth it and by the end you will see how
intelligently the whole movie has been designed. You'll probably want
to watch it again to see it in a new light. Recommended.
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