Machuca (2004)

In the throes of the political upheaval that rocked Chile in 1973, the movie "Machuca" paints a poignant picture of friendship and societal divisions. Amidst the rising tension under the socialist regime of President Salvador Allende, the nation is starkly divided between the privileged and the destitute. Taking center stage in this tumultuous landscape are two schoolboys: Pedro Machuca (Ariel Mateluna), a brave youngster from the slums, and Gonzalo Infante (Matías Quer), a boy harboring inner turmoil, hailing from Santiago's affluent suburbs. As the socio-political unrest reaches a boiling point, Father McEnroe (Ernesto Malbran), an influential headmaster, decides to shake the status quo. He introduces a bold initiative at the prestigious St. Patrick's Catholic prep school: permitting a select group of underprivileged kids to receive full scholarships. This radical move thrusts Pedro into a new world, where he becomes a target for the school bullies. Yet, he stands his ground, attracting the friendship of Gonzalo, whose own family is on the brink of collapse due to a domestic affair and a growing ideological chasm. The boys' kinship deepens as Gonzalo starts spending more time with Pedro and his family, particularly drawn to the jovial Uncle Willi (Alejandro Trejo), a flag vendor catering to all political leanings, and the captivating Silvana (Manuela Martelli), Pedro's elder cousin. However, the political and economic fissures tearing the nation apart seep into the school's microcosm, threatening to split the newfound friends apart. "Machuca" is an evocative tale of friendship born amidst societal divisions, a testament to childhood innocence in a world scarred by political strife. As the nation spirals into chaos following the coup by General Pinochet, the film presents an immersive journey into the lives of these pre-teen schoolboys, who become unlikely comrades in a time of division and turmoil.

Machuca is a drama movie featuring Matías Quer and directed by Andrés Wood.

Machuca is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Fandor and Kanopy.