Heroic is a new must-watch film that offers a deep, personal perspective on the inner workings of Mexico’s military. Directed by David Zonana, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is produced by Michel Franco. Variety had a chance to speak with the director, who says the film reflects Mexico’s economic and social backwardness, violence, and close relationship to military institutions. He added that the film is not only set on a macro level but also on an intimate, psychological level, which is what makes the film special.
Zonana also stated that he tried to humanize all the people who enlist in the armed forces by understanding their motives, social and economic state before joining, and other options. He said this is the only way to understand and bring to the table, in the fullest sense, such an urgent issue in Mexico and other countries.
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The film’s authenticity is grounded in the director’s research and consultation with former cadets and soldiers, as well as current and former officers of the Mexican army. This level of research and attention to detail promises to provide a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of Mexico’s military.
Heroic is set at the Mexican army’s Heroic Military Academy, which serves as the country’s West Point or Sandhurst. The film follows the story of Luis, a Nahuatl, who enlists in the academy and encounters institutionalized violence designed to turn him into a perfect soldier, though he tries to fight back.
Award Winning Director David Zonana Makes Films That Address Mexican Issues
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David Zonana is a Mexican writer-director known for his powerful, thought-provoking films that tackle complex social and political issues. His first feature film, Workforce, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won several awards and accolades. The film is a trenchant, withering take on modern-day Mexico and its moral deficiencies.
Zonana has also directed several other critically acclaimed films. A Monster with a Thousand Heads explores the theme of systemic corruption and the limits of personal morality. The film won the Best Director award at the Morelia International Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Zonana is an accomplished filmmaker who has established himself as one of Mexican cinema’s most talented and insightful voices. His films provide a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of the social and political issues that plague Mexico.
