Pablo Larraín

NO

Pinochet regime. A referendum is called to either solidify Pinochet’s position of power or put an end to an era of oppression and tyranny. To do so the people must vote: Yes or No. But how exactly will the No movement dethrone the despot against a tide of unfair scrutiny and sneaky manoeuvrings? In an era of booming advertising and commercialism, the opposition turn to a successful advertising consultant, René Saavedra, to craft their campaign. Saavedra uses his knowledge of advertising language and imagery to great effect, countering the

Fully deserving of its Academy Award for Best Picture in a Foreign Language, Pablo Larraín’s depiction of Chile’s most important political referendum is both a fascinating visual and historical experience. Set during the 1980s of the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, Chile is given a rare opportunity to decide its political future thanks to pressure from the international community on the

Words ByJack Jones

‘Gael García Bernal gives his most nuanced

performance to date.’

‘Gael García Bernal gives his most nuanced

militaristic and drab output of Pinochet’s campaign. Saavedra’s vision is not without resistance from his clients however. Whereas the activists want to expose Pinochet’s crimes in their one window of opportunity, Saavedra is convinced that selling “happiness” to a burgeoning youth movement will succeed. Larrain’s decision to shoot the

entire film on low-grade videotape is a sublime move. With an extensive amount of archive footage, Larrain seamlessly blends the film with real life events of police brutality and political protests. Unlike Forrest Gump where clever digital trickery was used to put Tom Hanks shoulder to shoulder with JFK et al, No uses a very simple approach to great effect. As René Saavedra Gael García

Bernal gives his most nuanced performance to date. Alongside the typical warmth and approachability that he brings to most characters, Bernal brilliantly captures the constantly ticking mind of Saavedra. At times you are never completely sure of his motivations. Is he in it for thepolitics? Or to prove he can ‘sell’ change? As a political movie about a

true story, you’re unlikely to see a more downplayed or subtle approach as in No. That doesn’t mean, however, the film lacks the heft or weight necessary when of depicting a historical event. Rather, No places you directly within the action, the arguments and the tussles of thisextraordinary movement in anextraordinarly visceral way. A terrific cinematic achievement.