Radical: Unleashing Geniuses & Overcoming Violence in Mexico’s Border Town
In a stirring and poignant drama titled Radical, co-written and adapted by Christopher Zalla, the story revolves around the Jose Urbina Lopez Elementary School in Matamoros, Mexico. This town, situated on the U.S/Mexico border, is plagued by poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, and gang-related violence. The film portrays the city of Matamoros as a hopeless place, depressingly real and painfully familiar to many. It evokes memories of Luis Buñuel’s award-winning classic, Los Olvidados (The Forgotten Ones), which depicted a similar setting almost 75 years ago.
Unlike the recent horror-thriller hybrid, Tigers Are Not Afraid, which focuses on the violence itself, Radical shifts its attention to the elementary school as a safe haven for the local children. Within its walls, they find temporary respite from the poverty and despair that surrounds them. However, once they step outside, they are forced to navigate crime scenes, blood-stained bodies, and the constant threat of gunfire.
While the school serves as a sanctuary for the students, the teachers and administrators are more concerned with winning a monetary bonus for their performance on an upcoming standardized test. Their ethical compromise reflects the deep-seated corruption within the school system, which ultimately fails to prioritize the students’ educational needs.
Drawing inspiration from Joshua Davis’s article for Wired in 2013, as well as other social-realist dramas set in educational institutions, such as Blackboard Jungle, To Sir With Love, and Stand and Deliver, Radical tells the story of Sergio Juárez Correa, an idealistic and unorthodox educator. Portrayed by Eugenio Derbez, Juárez Correa challenges the establishment within the school as well as the chaotic violence beyond its walls. His radical pedagogy focuses on granting students agency and autonomy in their learning, allowing their curiosity to guide them.
While the other teachers and administrators initially oppose Juárez Correa’s methods, the film centers around three of his students who embrace his approach. Paloma, a math savant dreaming of becoming an aerospace engineer; Nico, a clever and insightful student who faces the temptation of joining a gang; and Lupe, inspired to see a world beyond her day-to-day experiences. Each of them confronts seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including poverty, the lure of gang life, and familial responsibilities.
Radical may rely on familiar tropes and predictable plot turns, but it showcases the skillful craftsmanship of the filmmaker, Christopher Zalla. Through a sturdy script, a specific setting, well-defined characters, and talented actors, the film elevates the formula, creating a memorable and moving experience. Ultimately, Radical celebrates a student-first approach to teaching, emphasizing the transformative power of dedicated educators like Juárez Correa.
The real-life inspiration for the film, Paloma Noyola Bueno, achieved the highest math scores in the country, along with two of her classmates who scored in the highest percentage. Three other students in Juárez Correa’s class received the highest possible scores in Spanish. This serves as a reminder that quality teaching can make a significant impact on student outcomes.
Radical opens on November 3 and will be exclusively screened in movie theaters. It is a collaboration between Pantelion Films and Participant Media. For more information, showtimes, and tickets, visit the official website.
