Cannes Camera d’Or Winner César Diaz Takes ‘Mexico 86’ with Bérénice Béjo to Locarno

Guatemalan-born director César Diaz, a 2019 Camera d’Or winner for “Our Mothers,” returns with a harrowing and earnest exploration of an activist’s inner struggles in his latest film, “Mexico 86.” The film debuted at Locarno’s Piazza Grande on August 10 and focuses on the labors and sacrifices of its central revolutionary character Maria, portrayed by Academy Award nominee Bérénice Béjo.

French sales are managed by Bac Films, with Bac and Goodfellas handling international rights. Distribution in Benelux is managed by O’Brother, while Xenix Film takes care of sales in Switzerland. The project is produced by Belgium’s Need Productions and French outfit Tripode Productions. It is co-produced by Pimienta, Menuetto, France TV, RTBF, Voo & Be TV, Proximus, and Shelter Prod with associate production credits given to YK Well Enterprise and Yukunkun.

The narrative traces Maria’s journey as she rebels against an unjust regime and faces the high stakes of her dedication upon taking exile in Mexico. It also delves deeply into her complex relationship with her uprooted adolescent son, Marco, played by Matheo Labbé. Born in Buenos Aires, Béjo can strongly relate to the story, given her parents fled Argentina when she was a young child. Reflecting on her role, Béjo revealed that the film urged her to understand her family’s secrets and talk about their history of resistance against dictatorship.

While “Mexico 86” is not entirely autobiographical, Cesar Diaz credits his experiences as a child with a militant mother as inspiration for the character Marco. Diaz’s decision to write the script from Maria’s perspective provides a multi-faceted portrayal of her character, evoking both disdain and high regard from the audience.

“The truth is, if you put yourself in the child’s shoes, the only thing you ask of her is to be a mom,” Diaz remarked. “I think the complexity comes from the many layers of her character; she’s a militant, and this layer is essential as it gives meaning to her life.”

Béjo, herself a mother, grappled with the sentiments revealed by the script — the nearly impossible choice between maternal duties and a larger sense of humanity. She reflects on the difficulty of choosing between personal family ties and the fight for broader societal freedoms.

Scenes in the film are frantic and imbued with anxiety, depicting lives shrouded in tension as characters are forced apart from their loved ones. Maria emerges as an unsung hero whose life’s work often remains in the shadows. The film disrupts conventional narratives by attributing significant work within the revolutionary movement to a female character, challenging stereotypes and offering a fresh perspective.

Diaz elaborates on this approach, emphasizing the nuanced portrayal of maternity and the right of a mother to place her child in safety even while participating in revolutionary acts. “Within the revolutionary movement, fathers always left. Many fathers didn’t even question it; they left and that was it,” Diaz explained.

“Mexico 86” is not just a tale of dissidence; it also examines the strained dynamics between mother and son, magnified by Maria’s unyielding dedication to her cause. The film does not romanticize the struggles involved but rather presents them with raw honesty, allowing the audience to empathize deeply.

To authentically establish the distant relationship between Maria and Marco onscreen, Diaz chose to keep the actors separated before filming, opting against an initial idea to have them live together. This decision forged a natural void that resonated in their performances, particularly as scenes were shot in chronological order.

In the end, “Mexico 86” centers an uphill battle that, despite its numerous challenges, proves to be worth the personal upheaval. “This film resonates with our modern struggles,” Diaz commented. “It questions what we are willing to sacrifice to transform society, to build something better for future generations.”

Béjo added, “We have to thank those who dedicate their lives to others. It requires immense courage that not everyone possesses. Taking on a character like Maria makes you reflect on the bigger picture.”

The film stands as a testament to those brave enough to push for a brighter future, even at tremendous personal cost.

Source: Variety