No

Overview

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It’s 1988. The people of Chile have been under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet for 15 years. Due to increasing international pressure for Pinochet to legitimise his regime, a plebiscite has been called, putting the fate of Chile back in the hands of the people. They have one vote with which to decide their future – ‘Yes’ to keep Pinochet in power for another 8 years, or ‘No’ to set Chile free.

Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain’s compelling and controversial docu-drama, No is a riveting blend of reality and fiction which delves into the murky waters of Chilean political history. No portrays the events leading up to the historic plebiscite through the eyes of brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra, who is persuaded to spearhead the campaign for the ‘No’ vote. Against all odds, with limited resources and under the watchful eyes of Pinochet supporters, Saavedra (Gael Garcia Bernal) and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election.

Both campaigns are given a daily 15-minute slot on TV to garner support for their vote. Here Larrain remains true to history, weaving archival footage from the original advertising campaigns seamlessly into the action. The film itself is a visual time warp, with sharp attention to detail, down to the clothing, haircuts and invention of the microwave. Larrain’s decision to shoot on period U-matic tape adds another dimension to the authentic feel of the film, giving it a distinctive vintage aesthetic.

Not having prior knowledge of the context isn’t a big deal, as the way the context is framed by the film provides enough for a clear outline, without being heavy with detail. The performances are impassioned and convincing, especially Garcia Bernal in his plight to win.

If you’re not a fan of documentaries or period pieces, don’t be put off. The film is more drama than doco, peppered with wry humour and light enough to offset the serious pretext. Knowing it’s rooted in reality makes it all the more interesting.

Despite having been criticized for misrepresenting and omitting key elements of the history it depicts, No is a smart piece of cinema. The whole idea with politically-motivated art is to get people talking, and they are definitely doing that with No. The only film ever made on the subject of the plebiscite, No offers a memorable and valuable insight into the culture and history of Chile.