Film Overview"Deficit" is a 2007 Mexican drama movie directed by Gael Garcia Bernal, marking his directorial debut. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was featured in various international film festivals. The movie's cast consists of Tenoch Huerta, Ana Serradilla, Camila Sodi, and Bernal himself.
Plot"Deficit" follows the story of a wealthy, young man named Cristobal, played by Bernal. Cristobal is a self-centred, self-indulgent man who throws a big celebration at his household's lavish rental property while his parents are away. The party consists of many friends and family, amongst them, his sister Elisa, his childhood friend Adan, and your house servants. As the celebration progresses over the weekend, the distinction in social classes becomes significantly visible, showing the socio-economic variations common in Mexican society.
Characters and Themes Cristobal is depicted as an arrogant and self-serving character oblivious to the requirements of those around him. He treats his servants like invisible beings and continuously belittles Adan, who originates from a less wealthy background. A significant part of the film is devoted to showing the obliviousness of Cristobal and his good friends to the struggles and efforts of their servants.
In addition, Cristobal's sibling Elisa, who just recently returned from Europe, keeps an incestuous relationship with him, while Adan is privately in love with Elisa. The intricacies of these relationships are slowly unfolded throughout the film.
Meaning and Sociocultural AnalysisBernal's film is a sharp criticism of the Mexican upper class and the economic variations within the country. The villa functions as a symbol of immense wealth that is starkly contrasted with the lives of the servants and Adan and his family. The swimming pool in the villa includes prominently as a metaphor for advantage and wealth-- just the abundant are permitted to swim in it while the servants envy from afar.
The movie likewise checks out the theme of corruption and the manner in which the wealthy and effective use their influence to control and cheat the system. This is evidenced in the subplot including Cristobal's father, who is suggested to be associated with a corruption scandal.
ConclusionThrough the lens of a weekend party, "Deficit" paints a plain photo of the social class divide in the Mexican society and the obliviousness of the privileged. Bernal's representation of the indifferences and decadence of the upper class, juxtaposed with the struggles of the lower class, highlights the film's main styles of socio-economic variation, classism, and corruption. The film ends on a rather bleak note, with Cristobal swimming alone in his pool, uninformed of the way his actions have affected those around him.
Bernal's debut directorial attempt effectively scrutinizes the societal problems relentless in Mexico, providing a powerful and thought-provoking social commentary. While the film might seem like a basic story of an unimportant party, it masterfully utilizes its characters and setting to review the existing socio-cultural standards. With "Deficit", Bernal effectively carries his well-known political advocacy into the realm of cinema.
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