Machuca (DVD)

Following up on his Sundance winning film Violeta Went to Heaven, director Andrés Wood brings us an emotionally charged story of boyhood friendship in 1970s Chile. Class conflict is highlighted by the socialist ideology of Salvador Allende and Pinochet's impending coup. This is all seen through the eyes of two unlikely friends, eleven year olds Gonzalo Infante and the titular character Pedro Machuca. In their friendship, the conflict between the marginalized poor and the upper class is dramatized – the impoverished Pedro is only able to attend the same school as his more privileged friend when he is awarded a full-ride scholarship. Both of the lead actors are incredible, making this film a definite recommendation!