The Chosen Ones (2015) User Reviews

A modern folk story about abuse and violence that is quickly turning into a tradition in Mexico

[xivac · 8/10 · 20 May 2016]

We normally go to the movies to escape reality, but film's like these one makes the spectator submerge into a tragic reality that's become more and more frequent in our country; modern slavery against woman and psychological transformation in youth's perception towards other individuals, especially towards women. The film tells the story about a juvenile couple, Sofia (14 years old) and Ulises (about 17 or 18 years old, it's never told his age in the film). Ulises entire family are human traffickers who enslave woman into prostitution. Ulises engages with Sofia to put her in a force prostitution house, but falls deeply in love with her. Unfortunately for them Ulises family finds out and takes Sofia to a brothel where they make the 14-year-old have sex with hundreds of different men all day long. The film then tells the story of the suffering of Sofia and some of the other prostitutes that are there by force, and it also tells the story of Ulises way into the family business of enslaving young woman and, contradictory, trying to safe Sofia from the brothel where she was force to work by Ulises father and brother. It's no secret that in Mexico thousands of woman disappear every year and it's no secret that the high level of misogyny in our country is the main reason why these crimes are still unpunished. The film deals with the perception towards woman not only from a men point of view but an entire family. During the film we can see the emotional transformation that Sofia is put through after being imprison. One can't help feel sorry for Sofia but eventually the feeling of empathy turns into a massive anguish that makes the spectator feel powerless and forces us to rethink our concept of freedom in modern times. And that feeling of anguish is even more evident after the film is over, the conversation and debate held outside the cinema between me and my friends was just as tense as the film. The film, in my eyes, was a successful attempt to bring a profound problematic to the spotlight, done with great story telling form the characters to the clean and pure photography and the direction of David Pablos. It's a cruel story to tell but it's an even more difficult story to watch and to admit that modern slavery exists and that little is done to stop it.

like most of the good Mexican movies lately

[notforthrees · 8/10 · 11 August 2016]

Las elegidas (The chosen ones) is not easy to watch, is not that it has a lot of violence or nudity, is just the kind of story we would prefer not to see, not even think there is people suffering such problems (think Heli, 2013).

It is very well done and avoids falling in most of the clichés of the genre (not all, though). Grabbing a bunch of non-actors has worked way better than other films, I think. Special mention deserve the father and brother of the male protagonist, I think they were picked extremely well, both have at the same time a certain charm that is well contrasted with the terrible acts they commit.

Gut-wrenching

[rpiapicciuto · 7/10 · 11 April 2020]

Not an easy watch, I still have a knot in my stomach. Raw film making, with a heavy topic, limited dialogue, and some beautiful shots. I found it distressing but that is nothing compared to what women are forced to endure. Our protagonist Sofia, is withdrawn and numb, the trauma transforms her. You question whether she'll ever be free-spirited like we see in the beginning, ever, again. It's criminal to rob a woman of her body, her essence, her soul. I felt deep sadness and privilege throughout.

So Sad and disappointing

[alsoufi · 6/10 · 18 February 2019]

Such a sad story that was based on reality, It hurts that the boy can't save her unless he puts another girl in her place which it would let that poor girl live in a guilt all her life and she can't do anything about it. Which hurts more and disappointed me that the boy can't do anything to save those two girls. He can't face his father and force him to stop his awful business that they are living and earning money from it..

A truly sad tale

[felixcat-01819 · 10/10 · 28 July 2018]

Yes this flic was eye opening. The misogynistic ways of men are exposed here. Very much appreciated that the sex scenes are shown but heard looking into the faces of those involved, sans the initial one. A truly sad tale. The ending left me wanting a true resolution, but only getting an old ended tale was probably much better. No fairy tale, yet not truly tragic, all circumstances included. All countries must do a better job of exposing and stopping these crimes against our women.

?

[challe-edh · 5/10 · 9 August 2020]

It was good all the way to the finish, what a crap end, did the budget went out? There are way better movies out there in the same category without pricewinner.