‘A La Calle’ Review: A Chorus of Discontent in Venezuela


The heavy damage done by the Venezuelan dictatorship comes out very clearly in the documentary “A La Calle” (or “To the Street”), a detailed portrait of struggle and survival. Directors Nelson G. Navarrete and Maxx Caicedo focused their intense panoramas on the protests in response to a national crisis: President Nicolás Maduro’s policies that leave citizens in need of food, medical supplies and a stable currency.

Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chavez upon his death in 2013 and held power after the controversial 2018 elections, did not let go of the protests. Navarrete and Caicedo interview various figures facing the effects of the Maduro government: an opposition leader, a tortured activist, a janitor, a paramedic. Images of crowds gathering in the streets, sometimes gassed, provide literally a chorus of disapproval. The film’s intense shooting intensity is almost breathtaking.

The movie as a whole isn’t the most elegant video ensemble, especially in its quick transitions, and a little pruning can help. The producers cleverly include a government ministry figure and Maduro supporters, showing the extent of the political forces at work. A provocative series compares Maduro’s authoritarian consolidation of power to the efforts of leaders like Putin and Trump.

While Maduro has gone so far as to block humanitarian aid, the film tries to strike an optimistic note by showing the rise of National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó, who declared himself acting president in 2019. A glance at the news shows that the fight continues. , but “A La Calle” provides a vital snapshot.

La Calle
Not rated. Spanish, with subtitles. Working time: 1 hour 50 minutes. Watch it on HBO Max.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *