Pedro Machuca is introduced when the school is attempting integrate two social classes. The rich and the poor. Pedro is a young boy that comes from a impoverish community. Pedro and Gonzalo meet when the two are forced to become classmates. Pedro's education is being paid for by the school. The other boys refers to this as Pedro "getting a free ride". Pedro is seated behind Gonzalo in the classroom. At first these two want nothing to do with each other. Gonzalo is bullied by the other classmates, one in particular. This boy and his friends try to bully Gonzalo into beating on Pedro. Gonzalo refuses and this is where their friendship begins.
I interpreted this film to show war through the eyes of young children. There was graffiti everywhere, demonstrations and riots in the streets were common place. I was humored when after a massive riot the newspaper heading read, "Life in Chili is normal."
St Pacticks School for Boys was run by a priest name Father McEnroe. Father McEnroe tried to bring the social classes together and teach each side respect. Each class disrespected each other in their own way.
Gonzalo and Pedro were able to see how "the other half" lives. As the two boys friendship strengthened, they felt safe enough to let the other one deeper into their lives. Pedro visited Gonzalo's home and was able to see the richness of this life. Pedro was amazed at what he saw, food was readily available, even a nanny to prepare it. Gonzalo's family living room was about the space of Pedros whole house. Gonzalo had plenty, plenty of everything; cloths, books and shoes. Pedro met Gonzalos family members. He was accepted but to a point. Gonzalo's sister's boyfriend taunted Pedro, I guess to show him his place. When Pedro told the boyfriend his named, the boyfriend's response was, "these people have weird names." The resentment of being treated different was seen in the eyes both young boys.
When Gonzalo visited Pedro's home he saw poverty probably for the first time in his life. It was here that Gonzalo saw Silvana again. She was a young girl, a little older than himself. She could be described as a rebel, participating in demonstrations and riots, where she sold flags, along with Pedro's family. She lived with Pedros famiy, in a small shanty. Her mother had left some time before for an unknown reason. Silvana referred to Gonzalo as a snob only because he came from a rich family.
Even though the boys came from very different social classes, they were similar in many ways. They were young boys wanting to have fun like any other. Both boys had family difficulties. Gonzalo's Mother, Maria Luisa, was a rich "snob" who was having an affair with an older man named Roberto. Gonzalo's father, Patricio, was obviously aware of the affair but did nothing about it. His parents fought and argued as the boys listened. Gonzalo went with his mother on several occasions when she visited Roberto. As the war outside continued, Gonzalo experienced his own personal war regarding his mothers actions.
Pedro had his own family issues. Silvana's father was a bitter man. He describe to Pedro what his life would always be and where Gonzalo life would take him. He spoke of how Pedro would never be anything more than a man "cleaning toilets", and how Gonzalo would go on to run his father's company.
The boys tried to be friends but as the war, demonstrations, and riots escalated , families were showing more stress. The stress and confusion was felt by everyone. Gonzalo showed his rich social class in two different instances. First, in the classroom when Gonzalo took Pedro's test and answered the questions for his friend. When the tests were returned Pedro received a 4, while Gonzalo received a 7. I believe Gonzalo was trying to help Pedro but subconsciously he felt he was better. The worst part was that Pedro felt his friend's true feelings. Second, when the boys and Silvana were arguing, Gonzalo called Silvana and Pedro a racist name. Pedro felt the hate that came from Gonzalo. There friendship was never the same.
As the film came to the ending, Gonzalo went one last time to Pedro's community. The military guards were throwing people out of there homes, beating them, and burning their possessions and accusing the of being Communist. Silvana was frantic, trying to fight the military while they beat her father. She was accidentally shot and killed during the struggle. Pedro and Gonzalo witnessed it all. She was a friend to both boys. Gonzalo screamed to the militay guard that he didn't live in that area. He was identified by the shoes he wore, a symbal of his social class, and was let go. Pedro also witness this as his friend ran in fear and he had to stay in his own social class. The massive feeling that had to be going through both of the young boys were probably the same; guilt, shame, fear, resentment, loneliness...
This was a thought provoking film based on social class and political issues. It made me evaluate an array of feelings. I was saddened by the fact that in reality these two boys could not be friends. Society wouldn't allow it. In my opinion, the entire war was based on that one fact.
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