Armed to the Teeth

Armed to the Teeth, a Mexican film that was released in 2018, was written and directed by Alberto Mar. The movie delves into a story of a chilling incident, a suspected cover-up and the pursuit of justice by determined citizens. The film shines a light on the improprieties and transgressions experienced in Mexico, revealing a story that has become all too familiar in a society grappling with corruption and abuse of power.

The center of the storyline is actually based on a notorious real-life event that happened in 2010, focusing on the tragic case of Jorge Antonio Mercado Alonso and Javier Francisco Arredondo Verdugo, two students at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM). The film artfully uses a hybrid approach of crime, drama and documentary-style storytelling to portray a grim moment of Mexican reality, while humanizing its protagonists in their pursuit of justice.

Armed to the Teeth opens on a foreboding note with shots capturing Monterrey's cityscape during the twilight hours before narrating the remarkable events that unfolded. What begins as a typical night for university students Jorge and Javier, culminates in a horrifying twist when they cross paths with members of the Mexican military. The movie builds tension effectively as it intertwines the narratives of these young individuals, their distraught families, an investigative journalist named Marcela and prosecutor Arellano, an impartial witness to the incident.

Although the primary genre of the movie is a thriller, it presents a narrative drenched in political and social critique. The film casts a light on systemic problems in Mexico and, in the process, creates a poignant social drama that resonically merges the personal and political worlds. The director seamlessly intertwines components of a traditional drama with hints of a documentary to narrate the real-life incident that unfolded.

Following the incident, the narrative shifts to the paperwork, cover-ups, and investigations brought to light by Marcela and Arellano, portrayed brilliantly by Paola Nunez and Arturo Barba respectively. Armed to the Teeth effectively captures the tenacity of these individuals, offering an uncompromising look at the circumstances that compel them to question and challenge authority.

Contrasting the dramatic tension, certain elements of the film humanize Jorge and Javier, portraying them as regular students. These interspersed moments not only serve to provide relief but also to amplify the sense of injustice around their story, making the narrative more potent and their eventual fate even more heart-wrenching.

Aesthetically, Armed to the Teeth uses a diffuse, grey palette which serves to emphasize the narrative's somber and grim tone without distracting from the characters or storyline. The cinematography is fluid and takes on an almost voyeuristic perspective at times, strengthening the interaction between the audience and the events that unfold on the screen.

The film also benefits greatly from a carefully assembled ensemble cast. Paola Nunez and Arturo Barba deliver compelling performances. They bring gravitas to their characters, accurately depicting individuals who pursue a quest for justice against a corrupt system. Their nuanced performances help ground the dramatic elements of the film and add a sense of believability to the narrative.

The film does not shy away from showing the grave and unjust circumstances that its protagonists face, providing an unflinching perspective on a tragic chain of events that have far-reaching implications. Mar, the director, handles these elements with subtlety that draws the audience into the story without exploiting the gravity of the incident.

Armed to the Teeth is a powerful representation of a modern-day incident that invites the audience to reflect on the struggles for justice against a backdrop of corruption. This film very profoundly shows a grim reality that is too often concealed, emphasizing the necessity of being critical, questioning authority and seeking out the truth even within despairing circumstances. The film, with its humanizing narrative, leaves a profound impact: serving as both a marker of historical events and a commentary on contemporary social issues.