Chacaleria

When I first saw Chacaleria I was confused, I didn't know if i liked it because I'm Panamanian (living in Texas) or because it was a great film. Luckily the VOD rental lets me see the movie as many time I wanted so I decided to see it again.

Chacaleria looks unique. It's cinematic, I'm not a film critic or someone who knows a lot about cinema but lately movies (especially Panamanian ones) look more like soap operas than a movie. So I don't know if this is the correct term but it looks like nothing I'm used to seeing.

It is super smart. I didn't realize that the plot is not in chronological order until the second viewing. How most of Ronny's scenes are in a 3 day period and told out of order but the story moves so well it didn't matter the first time I saw it but understanding the timeline was super interesting. It really made me think about how one bad day, one bad decision can just derail your life.

The acting is great, very surprising because I've seen most of these actors in different movies and I would have never thought they would be able to act. They really proved me wrong with this.

I never write reviews but this is a cultural gem. The dialogue, the locations, the problems, the solutions... if any piece of cinema represent Panama its Chacaleria.

Like Antonia says at the beginning of the film. "Whats the Panamanian dream? It's just like the American dream... but instead of getting rich its work yourself to death just to escape extreme poverty." Im paraphrasing but it seems to me the Panamanian dream has become the reality of the world lately.

I used to live in Panama during the COVID-19 lockdowns, so I could easily relate to this film. "Chacaleria" is a remarkable movie that authentically captures life in Panama during those challenging times. The story is engaging, offering a unique glimpse into how people adapted to the circumstances. It skillfully blends new technology, politics, and social dynamics, creating a compelling narrative that feels both timely and relevant.

The film doesn't just tell a story; it paints a vivid picture of a society navigating uncertainty. This Panamanian masterpiece is both insightful and captivating.

Quite frankly, the limited number of Panamanian films released in recent years have, in the majority, fallen short of delivering the intrigue or entertainment value that Gurnir's Chacaleria so effectively achieves. This film not only captivates with its narrative but also impresses with its great production quality. In my opinion, it stands out as a remarkable example of contemporary cinema.

Chacaleria adopts a narrative style and tone reminiscent (to me, at least) of films like The Laundromat or Ferris Bueller's Day Off, blending humor with pointed social commentary. Much like the former, it brings to light the true nature of the Panamanian dream, particularly through its portrayal of desperation. The film touches on the harsh realities of an ignorant and corrupt government, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the struggles of living with little to no income while still facing mounting bills. Though the story is fictional, sometimes it feels like it isn't. The issues it addresses resonate with the real life experiences of Panamanians - both past and present. (I say this as a Panamanian myself.)

As a person that enjoys a good movie night, this one was fortunately a great choice!

This movie is amazing. There is nothing else to say. You need to watch this film, it is amazing what they did with so little money. It is a gem waiting to be discovered.

This movie is amazing. There is nothing else to say. You need to watch this film, it is amazing what they did with so little money. It is a gem waiting to be discovered. The directing, the acting, the soundtrack, the shots... everything is really interesting. I never write reviews but this movie needs to be seen by more people. I'm not writing this as a panamanian, I'm writing this as someone who loves cinema.

Gurnir will make you fall in love with the movies.