Mad Men meets Latin American politics: No

Pablo Larrain's film No is, or seems to be, based closely on real-life events - surrounding the 1983 (?) plebiscite that peacefully deposed Pinochet from power in Chile; film focuses on a young ad creative director in a Chilean agency, Rene (played very well by Bernal, who improves every movie he's in) - starts with his presenting an ad he's developed for a new cola, called Free (some irony there of course), which he pitches to clients as edgy and daring (maybe it was, circa 1980, time of setting) - and then he's called away to meet with a new potential client: the representative of the leftist coalition organizing for the plebiscite. Chileans apparently were asked to vote simply Yes (keep Pinochet in power) or No (oust him). Time for ads was strictly allotted and controlled - by Pinochet and his henchmen. Everyone figured the whole vote was a fraud, meant to give a thin veneer of legitimacy to Pinochet. What happens - whether it adhere closely to the truth or not - is interesting, at least as a movie: Rene is the only one who thinks they can develop an ad campaign that will actually win, and comes up with a somewhat corny but spirited pitch involving songs mocking Pinochet and some light comedy. Some of the leftists storm out - they believe there is no way to win the election, and the left should use the opportunity to present their views and their indictment of P. Rene prevails - and, ultimately, triumphs - to the surprise of all. But not without a lot of risk - the P. forces threaten his family, vandalize his property, etc. And there's a pretty nasty street fight, at which R. is at some risk. I'm guessing it's for movie purposes only but he has a son and girlfriend also placed at risk - that's a weaker element of the plot. Movie alternates between meetings of the No and Yes brain trusts, and of course they are 180 degrees different. The amazing thing is not so much that No succeeded but the P. let that happen, let the results stand. I'm sure it's a simplification of history - but a pretty good drama that informs us, or at least me, about a period I knew little about (using archival footage, too - including a weird picture of Kissinger beaming at Pinochet). As I'm sure others have noted, this is a unique depiction of Latin American politics, kind of Mad Men meets Battle of Chile, with a touch of The Selling of the President, as well (esp. when Pinochet's forces talk about getting him out of uniform, making him more friendly, taking advantage of his warm smile! - and come up with a stiff and stilted video of P. kissing schoolchildren while a chorus sings and soldiers stand - as Nazi as you can imagine).