Nuevo orden

Despite the title and in-your-face political overtones, "New Order" doesn't really say anything much about class struggle, conflict, or wealth distribution with any specificity or insight. It just takes the ruthless divide between the haves and the have-nots in Mexico (I totally agree with criticisms that whatever it does try to say is shown from the point of view of the 1%) and uses it as a pretext to showcase expert craft in creating tension and bathing the screen in blood. I know that it seems like it has something political to say, but aside from a kind of undeveloped (and generally cheap) cynicism about the corruption of the ruling elites (kind of undermined by zero development of the oppressed), this is just a taut, expertly directed thriller that happens to be set during a fictional uprising and coup. The sights of Mexico's flag waving occasionally onscreen are part of the exploitation of political symbols for what is ultimately an entertaining, tense B-movie thriller, with stylistic flourishes of Michael Haneke. If you watch it with that in mind, you can admire its craft.

Michel Franco's NEW ORDER assaults the viewer, and that's not completely 'out of order' for a movie about a Mexican revolution. Unfortunately, Franco mostly delivers body blows with little attention given to feed the heads of his audience.

The initial scenes of the underclass trying to overthrow the bourgeoisie (at a rich wedding, no less) have a certain kick. Sadly, Franco (who also wrote) does very little with that advantage. The wedding family is decently sketched out, but, the characters aren't used very well once the siege fully takes hold. They, like the Mexican people as a whole, become pawns in Franco's rage game.

What gives the opening at the wedding it's effectiveness is that you have come to know them as individuals (Naian Gonzalez Norvind is particularly good as the Bride), but, by the end (actually, significantly earlier), they are just part of the bloody landscape. The various 'sides' are murkily drawn. Whatever political thoughts Franco might have are negligible, if not downright cynical. There is no sign of wit, little dramatic tension and a lack of humanity. The final act should have been devastating, but instead just becomes another nasty set-piece. In a movie full of violence, abuse and torture, Franco's biggest offense is that he has nothing to say.

Countries collapse quickly and this is one of the few movies that express that speed.

Set in Mexico, New Order takes from a wedding day through riot to a military coup and beyond.

The story focuses on the events around one family and their servants. Each subplot deals with the personal and family tragedy that evolves.

Each character reacts to their circumstances and the challenges they face - asking us how we would react faced with similar circumstances. Would we buckle under or would we stand for right.

It is well portrayed and acted but be warned it is graphic. The prison scenes in particular are difficult to watch.

This is the first film by this director for me, but from very first moments he captured my attention by his approach to the story. Contrary to the most American films' depictions of Mexican society and dramatization of "good guys" and "bad guys", this one shows the roots of violence and brutal nature of inequality. Script lacks more details on the plot but overall it is an effective and provocative attempt by this promising film maker.

As "New Order" (2020 release from Mexico; 86 min.) opens, there is upheaval in a hospital, as lot of wounded and dead are brought in, resulting from social protests in the streets. In a parallel story, an upper class family is getting ready for a wedding, and the guests are arriving, but the judge who will officiate the wedding is late due to the protests. Things are becoming increasingly chaotic... At this point we are 10 min. Into the film but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest film from Mexican writer-director Michel Franco ("After Lucia"). Here he brings a "what if" social and political tale, set in Mexico City: what if social unrest leads to a violent military coup? The film observes the chaos of it all, and also what it means for the class inequities. Beware: there are a number of very disturbing scenes including torture, rape and execution-style murders. Yet the film also is incredibly well paced and it all flies by in no time. When the end titles started rolling, I thought to myself, "holy crap, what did I just watch?".

The movie premiered at the 2020 Venice Film Festival, where it won one of the top prizes, and it wasn't long before NEON snapped up the US distribution rights. Then COVID-10 changed the world... The film finally was released this weekend, and my art-house theater here Cincinnati had it on it schedule. The Sunday early evening show where I saw this at turned out to be a private screening: I was literally the only person in the theater. (Please note that upon its release in Mexico, this film was rebuked critically by many for being "classist and racist". I must admit it never crossed my mind while watching this.) If you are in the mood for a disturbing social and political "what if" from Mexico, I'd suggest you check this out, be it in the theater (while you still can), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.