"Men with Guns"

Film Review # 112324

Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.

"Men with Guns"

An analysis of liberation theology as depicted in the film "Men with Guns".

1,549 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how "Men with Guns" is the story of Humberto Fuentes an aging doctor in Latin America who has recently lost his wife. He is concerned that after his death he will leave no legacy behind, except for the medical students he trained for a humanitarian effort to help the rural Indian population of Latin America. In particular, it looks at how the film mixes politics and religion, or more accurately espouses the idea of liberation theology through the characters and story.

From the Paper:

"In Men with Guns we have subtle religious themes and images that relate the idea of liberation theology. The first is the main characters as the Holy Trinity. Domingo the soldier advises Dr. Fuentes to say that the child is the doctor's son, and that he is his driver. So we have the Father and the Son. Later when the group comes upon Padre Portillo the Trinity is complete, because Portillo refers to himself as the Ghost. He does not say Holy Ghost, but we know he is a priest when he relates his story later and these two facts imply his divinity. These three individuals, not counting Domingo who is the Christ figure, travel the mountains witnessing the oppression and social injustice the army is perpetrating against the Indians. The very thing Liberation Theology was created to fight. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Berryman, Phillip. Liberation Theology: Essential Facts About the Revolutionary Movement in Latin America and Beyond. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1987.
John Womack, Jr. "Rebellion in Chiapas."
Lloyd, Marion. "Zapatistas Endure A Decade of Struggle." The Boston Globe, January 2, 2004: A1.
MacLean, Matthew. "In Mexico, Zapatistas Focus on Politics, Not Conflict." Christian Science Monitor, August 18, 2003: 10.
States News Service. Pope Benedict's Holy War Against Liberation Theology in South America: Pontiff and Conservative Church Face A Rollback. April 29, 2008.