Radical

Such a great film. One of my top 10 films of 2023!

This is a film that reminds us how much useless and inefficient our educational system is, especially in undeveloped countries like Mexico.

But it's not the whole picture that this film is trying to paint. It's about kids' future, progress, human conditions, poverty, neglect, corruption, different approaches to modern education, and many more very important issues that every one of us must try not to overlook.

Christopher Zalla did a very good job on this film.

Christopher Zalla wrote this screenplay based on the 2013 Wired article, "A Radical Way of Unleashing a Generation of Geniuses" by Joshua Davis. And this story is based on a real story.

To me the real weak point of this film was its cinematography, additional to that, there were some scenes and plot points that weren't excellently well done and cooked.

Our rusty educational system needs a sheer update that it may can be seen as "Radical" to some reactionary and traditional people. And it's the reason that they named the film as such.

Such films can help building a better future, a robust, sustainable and progressive future.

Eugenio Derbez put a lot of himself on this film, I suppose he had a firm belief in the film's message.

It also ends with a powerful quote from Albert Einstein which sums the whole story up, stunningly.

7.7/10.

This movie does a great job in showing the differences between the method of being schooled and the negative consequences it causes when you are compelled to learn what somebody else thinks you should learn, know, study, etc.

On the other hand, there is the opposite method, which is, of course, not perfect and has its flaws in its own regard, along with many unforeseeable problems it could cause.

It's 2024, and this old method seems to prevail in most parts of the world and in most schools, unfortunately. This results in feeling dead inside in the end and not caring about anything because it sucks out the joy of learning with a constant bombardment of information and what the school program thinks you should know.

Regardless of how I look at it, there needs to be serious reforms on a global scale, with minds far smarter than mine; we already have new scientific discoveries that can help us with this process.

As I said, it's a major problem and it's a worldwide one. I believe education is one of the most important tenets of a healthy world, up there with mental and physical health.

Inquiring into matters that we are interested in, asking and seeking answers to questions that come to us, sometimes with the aid of a teacher, charts an individual spin on education, makes it more interesting, and honors the mystery of this life in which we live.

Zalla's beautiful-photographed film, of borderlands looking at improverised youth and their education. Eugenio Derbez helms the role as a possible mentor and educator, Sergio Juarez Correa. He's a role model to students struggling economically and dealing with criminality, based on true events.

It's a slow narrative, but developing much of its characterizations within the on-screen relationship between educator (Derbez) and youth. Derbez shines within this film without any comedic antics, showing the struggle of education.

Particular Mexican young actors shine alongside his acting, playing the students overcoming adversary. One student, Paloma helemd by Jennifer Trejo shows much passion toward math and science.

All these events are based on a true event for youth achieving the highest national testing, Paloma was celebrated as the Mexican student to has the highest score in the country back in 2011-12!

I could not remember when was the last time I saw a film, where it made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry, and made me gasp. "Radical" is a must-see. Without any spoilers, a lot of heart went into this masterpiece, ranging from the talent, to the cinematography, to the direction, the casting, the production design of the environment... it was glorious to experience. There is a reason why this was a winner at Sundance. It deserved it. It's based on a true story. And you follow each individual's journey, how they are affected in their own lives, and how they affect others with their existence. It also reveals the constant problems we have with the education system, or lack of, or limitations of, or what is allowed, and what is not allowed in order to progress. The writing of the screenplay is just brilliant. I don't wish to spoil anything, just watch it. Experience it.

Premiered at Sundance, Radical is based on the true story of a inspirational middle school teacher in an impoverished town in Mexico. Comparisons to Stand & Deliver, Dead Poet's Society, and other films based on inspirational teachers are inevitable, and perhaps you can anticipate beats in a film like this. Eugenio Derbez (who played the music teacher in CODA) is wonderful as the teacher Sergio Juarez, using unconventional means to teach about sixth grade and life. The child actors across this movie are astounding, as the director lets us see this world from both the teacher and the students. This film will undoubtedly open the floodgates about teachers and people who took the time to believe and inspire you.