You are here:

Cuartelazo

Name: Cuartelazo
Director: Alberto Isaac
Released: 1977
Duration: 117 min

Representation Score

3.0/10

Limited

1977

Director

Alberto Isaac

Runtime

117 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Cuartelazo functions as a specialized historical drama that prioritizes the critique of national political institutions over contemporary social identity politics. It succeeds in centering a non-Western historical narrative, providing ability to act to Mexican political figures during a pivotal moment of betrayal. However, the film is limited by its narrow focus on the male-dominated military and political elite. This results in a significant lack of representation regarding gender, LGBTQ+ identity, and disability, making the social landscape feel quite homogenous. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its cultural deconstruction of military authoritarianism rather than its breadth of social diversity.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Cuartelazo have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses strictly on the political and military actors of the Mexican Revolution. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Cuartelazo portray gender?

Limited

The narrative centers on a hyper-masculine landscape of male generals and statesmen. It offers little visibility for women's ability to drive the story, operating within a traditional patriarchal framework.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Cuartelazo?

Good

The film features a predominantly non-Anglo-Saxon cast, reclaiming a specific national history from a non-Western perspective. However, it focuses on the elite political class rather than broader ethnic backgrounds.

How does Cuartelazo represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story critiques authoritarianism by portraying the violent disruption of the presidency. It frames the central conflict through a lens of political struggle against oppressive, corrupt leadership.

Does Cuartelazo include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no documented evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities being integrated into the narrative or driving the plot.

Present on Screen

Reclaims a seminal moment of Mexican national history from a non-Western perspective.
Provides a strong critique of institutional corruption and military authoritarianism.
Highlights the actions of Mexican political figures during a critical historical event.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visibility for women's ability to drive the story or the subversion of gender hierarchies.
Provides no representation for LGBTQ+ identities or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.
Fails to include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Narration of one of the bloodiest episodes of the Mexican national history, The Tragic Ten, beginning when General Victoriano Huerta sent to kill President Francisco I. Madero, Vice President José María Pino Suárez and Senator Belisario Dominguez. The film recreates the moment of the execution at the hands of Huerta and his accomplices Bernardo Reyes, Félix Díaz and Manuel Mondragón.

How are these scores produced? →