The differences in social classes in the film Machuca were very apparent. Gonzalo was a rich kid whose parents sent him to St Patrick's School for Boys, a private Catholic school. His parents lived in a nice house with indoor plumbing, nice tableware, and a television. He had a closet full of nice clothes, Addidas tennis shoes, and his own bike. The family had a live-in housekeeper/nanny and their own car. Gonzalo and his family go out to dinner at nice restaurants and have parties. They are able to buy household supplies from a store. The portrayal of Pedro's life is a stark contrast to the way in which Gonzalo lived. Pedro, until he received a scholarship to the Catholic school, had no formal education. Pedro and his family lived across town in a shanty type community. The "houses" were built from scrap lumber and tin close together. There was no indoor plumbing and had to use an outside toilet. He had one pair of shoes and few clothes that were probably hand-me-downs or homemade. The whole family lived in one room. The mom was pictured hard at work digging holes with the little baby beside her. Pedro had to walk to and from school, often going to work for a neighbor afterward selling flags and cigarettes to government protestors.
The most significant point for me was despite the differences in wealth, each family had their own inner turmoil. Gonzalo's mother was having an affair with a wealthy married man. She would take Gonzalo with her to her sexual escapades. He was forced to wait and to keep the information from his dad. Pedro's dad was a drunk who would try to take their last few coins to buy liquor. The mom having to all of the household chores and take care of the baby had little time to spend with Pedro. So, despite their obvious material differences, they each had their own set of problems.
I liked the movie but thought it terribly sad when the poor people were persecuted for their supposed support of communism. Living in a great country that I do, having freedom of speech, I cannot imagine something like this occuring. It seems to me that the country of Chile traded one evil for another when the Marxist president was killed and the military government took power. As much as I wish this type of treatment wasn't possible, it happens all to often in poor third world countries where the differences between rich and poor are so vast. Money is used to take advantage.
The homes were quite different. I think Gonzalo was very surprised to have to go outside to use the restroom. Gonzalo's home certainly had many things. As you said, Pedro's home was certainly the opposite. Instead of many things, his seemed to have many people. I wonder if Gonzalo had seen a home where everyone lived in one room before. I too found the movie quite sad. I found it very distrubing the way Pedro and his family and neighbors were treated by the military. It was very bothersome to me that this whole community of people just disappeared.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how the two mothers were portrayed. Both mothers clearly loved their sons; they were affectionate and kind to them, providing them with what they could. But Gonzalo's mother also had a very selfish side, betraying her husband and her family with Roberto, siding with her rich friends against the poor in the parade, and finally leaving Gonzalo's father and taking her son to live with her at Roberto's home, rather than moving to Rome to be together as a family.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Pedro's mom did everything for her family, even standing up at the school and telling her story, in the hope that the boys would be able to stay and learn. She worked hard every day, and was always home for Pedro. She even stood up to the guards as they took her husband away, fearless against their power and cruelty.
Great post!
Heather Kelsey
Wow, I am impressed of your description of both boys' homes. I agree that boy mothers loved their sons. The portrayal of each was interesting yet typical. Gonzalo's mother was spoiled in her rich life. She probably never knew a day of work. She obviously got whatever she wanted through her "sexual escapades". Whereas Pedro's mother was a hard labor worker. She not only worked digging, gardening, but also feed and cared for her family. The little money they had, she had to hid from her drunken husband. She was a strong woman in everything she did. It is a powerful film.
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