Machuca (2004): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Machuca is a 2004 drama directed by Andrés Wood, starring Luis Dubó as Ismael Machuca, Ariel Mateluna and Ernesto Malbrán. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $3.2 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Andrés Wood
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Spanish - Studio
- Ibermedia
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Machuca About?
The premise of Machuca without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1970s Santiago, during Salvador Allende’s socialist presidency, Father McEnroe opens St. Patrick’s Catholic prep school to admit a handful of working‑class children. Pedro Machuca, the son of a cleaning lady, befriends Gonzalo Infante, a wealthy liberal’s son. Their friendship endures the 1973 Pinochet coup, which topples Allende, ousts supporters like McEnroe, and shatters the fragile bridge between their disparate worlds.
Machuca Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- chile
- student
- friend
- classmate
- historical event
- sexual initiation
- trauma
- teenage girl
- teenage boy
- teacher
- teacher student relationship
- raid
+38 more Show fewer
- pig
- mother son relationship
- milk
- loyalty
- love triangle
- fight
- dictatorship
- coming of age
- absent mother
- class conflict
- childhood
- bicycle
- death of child
- one word title
- chilean coup d'etat 1973
- character name as title
- surname as title
- operation condor
- underwater scene
- boy rear nudity
- expulsion
- children
- world
- sex scene
- socialist
- military
- suburb
- military coup
- marxist
- integration
- flag
- catholic
- bully
- private school
- buddy
- friendship
- chilean history
- santiago de chile
Machuca Cast & Characters
Luis Dubó leads the cast as Ismael Machuca, with Ariel Mateluna as Pedro Machuca and Ernesto Malbrán as Father McEnroe. Directed by Andrés Wood; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director Andrés Wood
- Luis Dubó as Ismael Machuca
- Ariel Mateluna as Pedro Machuca
- Ernesto Malbrán as Father McEnroe
- Matías Quer as Gonzalo Infante
Also Starring in Machuca
· 30 more- Francisco Reyes Patricio Infante
- Aline Küppenheim María Luisa
- Manuela Martelli Silvana
- Alejandro Goic Father Robles
- Federico Luppi Roberto
- Alejandro Trejo Willy
- Tamara Acosta Juana
- Daniel Alcaíno Army Sergeant
- Pablo Striano Store Clerk
- María Olga Matte Miss Gilda
- Juan Pablo Miranda Soldier
- Gabriela Medina Lucy
- Pablo Krögh Colonel Sotomayor
- María Izquierdo
- Aldo Parodi Tailor
- Tiago Correa Pablo
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Catherine Mazoyer New Teacher
- Jack Arama Parent
- Jorge Zepeda Chofer de Ochagavía
- Francisca Imboden Maria Luisa's Friend 2
- Eduardo Burlé Rolando Hamilton
- Hugo Vásquez Parent 1
- Andrea García-Huidobro Isabel
- Francisca Concha Mother Robles
- Mauricio Bustos Kiosquero
- Alfredo Ahumada Waiter
- Julio Briceño Priest 2
- Lucas Edwards Lucas Honorato
- Samuel Guajardo Bus Driver
- Verónica Moraga Maria Luisa's Friend 3
More from Andrés Wood
More films directed by Andrés Wood, best-rated first: Violeta Went to Heaven, Loco Fever and Soccer Stories.
Machuca Plot Summary
What happens in Machuca from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The story unfolds through the eyes of Gonzalo Infante, Matías Quer, a 12-year-old from a comfortable, upper‑class upbringing, set against the turbulent backdrop of Chile’s early 1970s as social and political tensions press toward upheaval. The national mood is charged: the working class demands justice and structural change after the socialist president Salvador Allende is elected, while many in the wealthy classes grow wary of the movement and whisper of conspiracies against the government. In this tense climate, Gonzalo’s world of privilege sits uneasily beside the struggles of those around him, and the film observes how loyalties, fears, and curiosities collide in quiet, human ways.
Full summary
The whole story of Machuca, scene by scene
Machuca Box Office
Machuca grossed $3.2 million worldwide. $26,676 came from the US and Canada and $3.2 million (99%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$3.2M
- US & Canada
- $26.7K
- International
- $3.2M
How Well Do You Know Machuca?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who narrates the story in the film?
Cars in Machuca
21 cars on screen, including the 1970 Chevrolet C-30 and the 1958 Fiat 1100.
-
1970 Chevrolet C-30 Important role -
1958 Fiat 1100 Important role -
1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 S W108 Important role -
Chevrolet C-Series Minor role
Machuca Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “Mon ami Machuca” and “Machuca, mein Freund”.
- Also known as
-
- Mon ami Machuca
- Machuca, mein Freund
- Min ven Machuca
- 那年阳光灿烂
- מאצ'וקה
- Мачука
Seen Machuca?
Movies Like Machuca
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Missing, Chile '76 and Huacho.
Machuca FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Machuca, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Machuca?
Machuca runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was Machuca released?
Machuca was released on February 24, 2004.
Who directed Machuca?
Machuca was directed by Andrés Wood.
More films by Andrés Wood Who is in the cast of Machuca?
Machuca stars Luis Dubó as Ismael Machuca, Ariel Mateluna as Pedro Machuca and Ernesto Malbrán as Father McEnroe, among 34 credited actors.
How much did Machuca make at the box office?
Machuca grossed $3.2 million worldwide ($26,676 domestic, $3.2 million international).
Does Machuca have a post-credit scene?
No. Machuca has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Machuca in?
The original language of Machuca is Spanish.
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