Review by fefiu

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!