Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘The Follies’ or ‘Las locuras’ is a Mexican anthology drama film that chronicles the happenings in the lives of various individuals. Directed by Rodrigo García, it follows a series of events that happen in Mexico City that capture the essence of human nature. Characters fight against confinement, familial bonds, and the issue of self-censorship. The identities, insecurities, and liberty of individuals are tested as they cross paths with unforeseen challenges. On a rainy day in Mexico City, functional professionals, mothers, and other individuals contend with their true nature.
Primarily, the narrative looks at emotions from a female perspective, as it contains six stories about six women. Renata is one of them, who is on the verge of a psychotic breakdown. Similarly, other women also face existential challenges, all happening on a single day. At the larger level, the film is a commentary on the desire for freedom, the morality of social institutions, and the meaning of genuine human connection.
The Follies is a Fictional Exploration of the Struggles of Ordinary Individuals
Written by the aforementioned director, ‘The Follies’ holds a mirror to society in unsettling yet poignant ways. It examines the challenges that ordinary people face at the smallest level. The desire for freedom runs deep in the human psyche, and the film delves into the courage of the characters, which becomes a necessary part of achieving liberation. The theme of self-censorship also finds representation in the narrative, which looks at the various ways in which individuals can sometimes write their own destinies. The sensitive issue of familial expectations and the role they play in the lives of people is also an idea covered in the story. Despite being a fictional creation, ‘The Follies’ is an unusual but grounded depiction of these human emotions.
The movie is essentially an urban, claustrophobic, and tense exploration of the lives of different characters. It attempts to humanize the experiences of the characters and not pass moral judgments. The film is also a commentary on the female experience, as it looks at the struggles faced by women dealing with different issues. Talking to Publimetro, the director Rodrigo García stated that the film somehow ended up being a female perspective on social issues. He never intended to make it a female-centric approach initially, but the script-writing process led to it being so. He also said that the film is not specifically about women, but about the characters and the individual journeys they are on.
The story also delves into sensitive issues like animal euthanasia, the repression of sexual identity, and the patriarchal values of society. The lives of the various characters represent the struggles of ordinary individuals, connecting the story to reality. One of the most important perspectives given by the filmmaker is that he wanted the film to resemble reality. Even if moments in the storyline feel fantastical, the essence of it is close to reality. Ultimately, ‘The Follies’ aims to connect with the viewers on a personal level, despite the creative liberties.
The Narrative Aims to Reflect Difficult Realities Surrounding Mental Health
‘The Follies’ not only explores the layers of mental health, but it also intends to destigmatize it. The director Rodrigo García opined that mental health is less taboo than before, and that people are dealing with it, instead of denying it. He said that mental health shouldn’t be a source of shame for anyone. He confessed that he wanted to make the film more entertaining, but also to make people feel connected to the stories. He recognized that his opinion might sound like a privileged or superficial take on the subject, but hoped that the film could connect with people at some level. In an interview with El País, the director spoke about the inspirations behind the film. He opined that the film is a commentary on mental health and that he has seen his own friends experiencing bipolar manic episodes.
The idea of stable, intelligent, and successful people losing their composure is at the heart of the story. The filmmaker watched documentaries and interviews to prepare for the film. He also spoke to psychiatrists to maintain the authenticity of the characters. His experiences with his friends also helped him develop a unique story. The character of Renata in the film depicts the challenges of living with bipolar issues. The filmmaker aimed to create awareness about mental health issues and not trivialize them for the sake of entertainment. All in all, ‘The Follies’ is a fictional story that is grounded in reality and partly shaped by the director’s own experiences.
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