In Heroico, Luis, an indigenous young man from a racialized background, joins the military in the hope of improving his life and providing for his family. Within the dark, foreboding surroundings of the military barracks—which resemble a haunted castle—he confronts the harsh reality of hierarchical violence, power abuse, and corruption ingrained in the military system. Yet driven by the urgent need to secure health insurance for his terminally ill mother, Luis feels compelled to remain within the walls of this dehumanizing institution.
With a strong emphasis on the oppressive atmosphere of the military training base—where this story, inspired by true events, unfolds—director David Zonana immerses us in a world that reveals the systemic forces driving individuals to endure inhumane hardships. Heroico explores how an institution, through use of terror, molds soldiers into corrupt enforcers of repression. (GR)