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Mexico: Netizens Weigh in on Documentary “Gimme The Power”

Categories: Latin America, Mexico, Citizen Media, Elections, Film, Music, Politics

[All links lead to sites in Spanish unless otherwise stated.]

“Gimme The Power”, a documentary written, narrated, directed and produced by former radio host and leader of public opinion Olallo Rubio [1], was released in Mexico on Friday, June 1, 2012.

The following synopsis can be found on the official website [2]:

Gimme the Power nos introduce al contexto histórico que nos ubica en la realidad que se vive actualmente en México. Tomando como pretexto y eje central la carrera del grupo Molotov, cuenta de manera rápida, puntual y divertida la historia de la banda, y la tragicomedia de la historia mexicana, a la cual está íntimamente ligada. Un país en crisis permanente, su fallido intento por alcanzar la verdadera democracia, y una banda que proporciona el soundtrack del descontento generalizado.

“Gimme The Power” introduces us to the historical context that has led to today's reality in Mexico. Taking the career of the rock band Molotov as a pretext and central axis, it tells the story of the group alongside the tragicomedy of Mexican history (to which it is closely linked) in a rapid, timely and entertaining way. It tells of a country in permanent crisis, of its failed attempt to achieve true democracy, and of a group that provides the soundtrack to the widespread discontent.

Rogelio Pineda Rojas [3] said the following about Molotov [4] [en] in his blog Textonauta:

Urgía que alguien lanzara mentadas de madre a diestra y siniestra contra políticos, la televisión lumpen, contra la farsa de las buenas consciencias, contra la farsa de nosotros mismos, y que echara mano del pitorreo, la majadería y esa ambivalencia semántica del caló defeño para hacer canciones potentes, cuya lírica se sustentara en el humor negro de quien ya no tiene nada qué perder, porque todo se lo han arrebatado de las manos. Esto es y ha sido Molotov, una de las mejores bandas de México y ahora, gracias a el documental Gimme the power (Olallo Rubio, 2012), está en la cumbre que merece.

They encouraged people to shout insults left, right and centre at politicians, at the television, at the farce rooted in good consciences, at the farce we have made of ourselves. They want people to offer a hand jokingly, use the nonsense and double meanings of gypsy slang from the capital to create powerful songs whose lyrics would be backed up by the black humour of those who now have nothing to lose because everything they had has been taken from them. This is and always was Molotov, one of the best bands to come out of Mexico. Now, thanks to the documentary “Gimme The Power” (Olallo Rubio, 2012), they have reached the peak they deserve.

Sopitas [5] commented before the premiere:

Esta (sic) filme-documental nos narra la extensa trayectoria musical de Molotov desde el punto de vista de sus cuatro integrantes. También nos dan su perspectiva en la vida política del país, los limites (sic) de la libertad expresión, y los obstáculos que una banda de rock se topa en la industria del pop. “Gimme the Power” es una exploración de la banda que hace del micrófono un arma nociva para las altas clases políticas y sociales.

This docufilm takes us through Molotov's extensive musical repertoire from the point of view of its four members. They also give us their view on the country's politics, the limits on freedom of expression, and the obstacles that a rock band faces in the pop industry. “Gimme The Power” explores the band that turns a microphone into a harmful weapon aimed at higher political and social classes.

El Abogado del Diablo's blog references Carlos Bernal [6]‘s review, in which he points out that Molotov's story is just a pretext for the creation of an unoriginal documentary:

Gimme the power (Olallo Rubio Maaud 2012) es un documental con más de lo mismo, pero con el pretexto de la presencia de los integrantes del grupo Molotov.

Pretexto porque de los 97 minutos de duración, ellos sólo aparecen entre 35 y 40, menos de la mitad, entonces seguramente los fans que vayan al cine a verlos, saldrán decepcionados.

La otra hora del documental, son imágenes que ya hemos visto con anterioridad donde el PRI junto con Carlos Salinas de Gortari ¡Faltaba más! Y Televisa ¡Claro está! (Zabludovsky, Raúl Velasco y Luis del Llano), incluidos, son los culpables de todas las desgracias deMéxico.

“Gimme The Power” (Olallo Rubio Maaud, 2012) is more of the same, but with the pretext of being about the members of the rock band Molotov.It's a pretext because out of the 97 minutes running time they only appear in 35-40, less than half, so the fans that go to the cinema to see them will surely be disappointed.The other hour of the documentary is filled with images that we have already seen previously with the PRI [Institutional Revolutionary Party] and Carlos Salinas de Gortari [7] [en]. More is needed! And Televisa, of course it's there! (Zabludovsky, Raúl Velasco and Luis del Llano) are all responsible for Mexico's misfortunes.

Reactions on Twitter appeared quickly following the documentary's premiere. Edgar Gabo (@edgar_maked [8]) linked social discontent (the main theme of the documentary) with the fashionable youth movement, which Global Voices has previously reported on [9].

[2]

Official poster

Los de ‪#YoSoy132 [10] se adelantaron a Gimme the power

‪#YoSoy132 [10] were one step ahead of “Gimme The Power”.

Rodrigo Salinas (@soyrockdrigo [11]) mentioned the documentary's political content, alluding to the most important party in the process:

Los del PRI vean ‪#GimmeThePower [12] y verán de q esta echo (sic) su partido la única esperanza es @lopezobrador_ [13] @AMLO_DF [14]

The PRI will see ‪#GimmeThePower [12] and they will see what their party is made of. The only hope is @lopezobrador_ [13] @AMLO_DF [14].

Celia Mtz. (@Celissan [15]) referred to some of the issues tackled in the documentary, whilst recommending that nobody miss it:

#GimmethePower [16]: De Olallo Rubio: Rock, política, el 68, Avándaro, el PRI, el PAN, Molotov. No se la pierdan:

#GimmethePower [16] by Olallo Rubio: rock, politics, Mexico 68 [17] [en], Avándaro, the PRI, the PAN [National Action Party], Molotov. Not to be missed.

Paulina Mallorga (@Pay_Mallorga [18]) said the following about the documentary:

#GimmeThePower [12] @MolotovBanda [19] No está descubriendo el hilo negro d la política mexicana pero invita a reflexionar+buena música+risas seguras

#GimmeThePower [12] @MolotovBanda [19] It's not telling us anything new about Mexican politics but it makes you think, has good music and guarantees a smile.

“Gimme The Power” features Alex Lora, Javier Solórzano and Juan Villoro, among other showbusiness, journalistic and literary personalities. The premiere took place exactly a month before the Mexican people go to the polls to elect their next president.