Radical

Radical

Directed by Christopher Zalla |Mexico | 2023 | 125 min | Dramedy | Rated M
Cast: Eugenio Derbez, Daniel Haddad, Gilberto Barraza

In Spanish with English subtitles 

Who will the sixth grade students at Jose Urbina Lopez Elementary in Matamoros become? They are among the worst performing students in Mexico, the world they know is one of violence and hardship, and their classrooms are dominated by an atmosphere of overbearing discipline, not possibility. It might seem like a dead end... but it is also the perfect place for new teacher Sergio Juarez to try something different. There’s just one problem: Sergio (Eugenio Derbez) has no idea what he’s doing.

Writer/Director Christopher Zalla (Blood of My Blood) has crafted an honest, playful, powerfully inspiring story about a teacher who takes a radical approach with overlooked, apathetic kids to trigger their curiosity and discover the joy of learning... to let kids – who live in a world where they can’t be kids – become kids again.

“Subliming moving.  Zalla teaches a lesson on how to deliver an affirming, emotional gut punch.” - NY Post

“An uplifting story full of hope and heart.” – Slash Film

AWARDS
Festival Favourite Award
Sundance Film Festival 2023

Best Narrative Feature
Heartland International Film Festival 2023