El Infierno

El Infierno is a 2010 Mexican crime drama film directed by LUIS BARRAGÁN, set against the backdrop of the country's violent and lawless underworld. The film follows the story of Francisco "El Chilo" Lobatón (played by Cristián de la Fuente), a former resident of Mexico City who has been deported from the United States and forced to return to his hometown of Guadalajara. Francisco, known for his charisma and street smarts, had previously been living in the United States, where he became embroiled in organized crime. After being deported, he returns home to find that the city has been overrun by corrupt government officials and ruthless cartel members. The city is now plagued by violent crime, extortion, and lawlessness, creating a desperate situation for its inhabitants. With no other means of survival, Francisco is forced to join forces with Fierro (played by Damian Alcázar), a high-ranking member of the "Narcos del Milenio" (Cartel 1), a notorious crime syndicate that controls the city's underworld. Fierro recruits Francisco due to his previous connections to the organization and recognizes his unwavering perseverance to survive. Initially, Francisco becomes embedded within the organization, working as an enforcer, allowing him to rise through the ranks. However, as he becomes more entrenched in the narcotics trade, he becomes an increasingly skilled and resourceful dealer, earning the respect of his peers. Through his interactions with other cartel members, we observe a darker reality of Mexico's corrupt system. Fierro instructs Francisco to become the one and only man the "Cartel 1" has in the powerful state of Jalisco to become his right hand. While initially content with his new role and financial rewards, Francisco's perception of the city and its people begins to change as he witnesses the brutal violence and corruption that pervades society. He becomes increasingly disillusioned with the lack of hope and struggle that the cartel perpetuates in their victims, often the very same people he grew up with. He has to find a way to resolve the conflict and prevent this corruption but due to the danger and the uncertain environment, it slowly affects his relationship with other cartel members. Through El Infierno, Barragán provides raw, vibrant, and striking images of Mexico City, laying the groundwork for the narrative's tension. He puts an increasing emphasis on action scenes that illuminate the chaotic lives of narco-traffickers as they go from planning extensive heists to doing countless smaller operations like battling with kidnappers. The performances from the ensemble cast add depth and emotion to the story. The dark landscape they inhabit has become overwhelming. Characters involved may play many facets, highlighting harsh aspects of organized crime life as everyone's fate will forever be sealed. In response to the conditions that create the "worldwide crime epidemic," we find the "vindictive drama" driving the plot slowly to become a chilling message about survival at any cost, as lives are thrown into desperate situations, the once-thriving land being scorched to death by 'crimes' that eventually became an integral part of the lives of residents. By navigating through corruption, crime, survival, and consequences of being involved in vicious underworld operations of Mexican territory, the film's depth unravels across intense action, somber flashbacks, and chilling performances. As Francisco struggles to maintain his self-worth amidst an ever-increasing 'world of chaos,' LUIS BARRAGÁN demonstrates the real Mexico of yesteryear.