Our Latin American series continues this week with a film from Mexico:
La Zona (The Zone, 2007)
Directed by Rodrigo Plá
Spanish with English subtitles, 91 minutes
La Zona takes its name from the gated community that boasts its own private school, security force and convictions that it can police itself. When a storm causes a power failure and knocks a billboard over the gate, three thieves sneak in to steal but end up murdering a resident. La Zona’s citizens kill two of the assailants but cover up the incidents, and between the pressures of keeping the secrets and tracking down the remaining intruder, they resort to worsening police-state tactics in the name of self-protection. Twisted values and fear-driven mob madness form the core of Rodrigo Plá’s impressive feature debut that sweeps the viewer into the horrors of vigilante justice, doing more than simply pitting the haves against the have-nots. Set within an exclusive gated community surrounded by slums in Mexico City, the film tackles issues of privilege, responsibility and group mentality in subtler ways than descriptions might convey, finishing it all off with a punch. (variety.com)
Friday, January 28th, 6:15 p.m.
Zrinyi 14 / Room 412
Find out more about upcoming films in the Latin American series on the club's blog: http://philmclub.wordpress.com/