The law of Herod tonight for a change I could not sleep, the Italian news on the internet and I had eaten almost all during the day and unfortunately the Brazilian TV channels over the weekend include even more 'junk that during the week. Then luckily for me in a smaller channel I stumbled upon a Mexican film in its original language (subtitled in Portuguese). It was called "La Ley de Herodes," a political crime comedy written and directed by Luis Estrada in 1999.
Set in Mexico in 1949 tells the story of a poor man, Juan Vargas (played by Damian Alcazar), who is chosen by the ruling party to hold the office of mayor in a remote village in the hinterland as the predecessor was assassinated .
arrived with the most 'good intentions and convinced to apply the motto of "modern', peace and progress" in a short time you realize you are in a place where the only law and prevailing ' la corruzione.
Dopo alcuni titubanti tentativi di ristabilire l'ordine naufragati nel ridicolo, anche su consiglio del governatore che gli aveva dato l'incarico, decide di adeguarsi alla situazione ed in un crescendo di trasformazione mefistofelica diviene un corruttore, bugiardo, manipolatore, aguzzino ed assassino.
Grazie al revolver regalatogli dal governatore piega il piccolo villaggio ai suoi piu' turpi voleri, chi cerca di sbarrargli il cammino o viene incarcerato con false accuse oppure e' eliminato seduta stante.
Grazie a questa atmosfera di vulnus, ricatti, minacce ed assurdi balzelli, da povero in canna come era arrivato il sindaco riesce a raggranellare un fortuna.
Nel frattempo il governatore che era in attesa new candidate to be president by the generals, he discovers to have been discarded, so decides 'to organize the assassination of his rival, but that' does not succeed.
discovered and hounded by the authorities 'reach the village of Juan Vargas, to take possession of his fortune so I can' flee abroad. In a tragicomic
crescendo at the end kills the mayor, the governor, but then about to be lynched by his fellow citizens, tired of the continuing harassment and bullying. Arise soldiers who chased the governor ....
The film ends with a speech full of promises and ideals pronounced by Juan Vargas in the Mexican Senate and referred to 'become a member for killing the governor a traitor. So far so
bene, ho assistito ad un film piacevole sarcastico ed intelligente, una buona opera di un regista che devo ammettere non conoscevo. Solo che stamane apro l'Unita' online e leggo "Bertolaso a capo del PDL"....
Forse non mi sono ancora svegliato.