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No 2012

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Political drama based on a true story, set at the time of Chile's 1988 referendum to unseat military dictator Augusto Pinochet. Gael García Bernal (The Science of Sleep) stars as an ad executive planning the advertising campaign to win the vote and oust Pinochet. More

Due to international pressure, Pinochet is forced to call a plebiscite on his presidency. The country will vote YES or NO to extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for the NO campaign persuade a brash young advertising executive, Rene Saavedra (Bernal), to spearhead their campaign. Against all odds, with scant resources and under scrutiny by the despot's minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free. Hide

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43 votes / 3 comments The Talk

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    • Isabella

      Looking forward to it!

    • Lena

      I've heard it's amazing!

    • Mark

      Looking forward to seeing this piece of Chilean history

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Flicks.co.nz Review

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Frances Morton Flicks Writer

All hail the power of an ear worm. Green-eyed Mexican crumpet Gael García Bernal puts the lovable into manipulative ad man Rene, who comes up with a catchy jingle to topple a dictator. Rene’s funky, but not too slick. Principled, but not preachy. Professionally composed, but personally struggling as a solo dad trying to maintain a relationship with his ex (who is a much more strident activist than he). More

Instead of selling a can of soda, Rene’s charged with putting together a campaign that will persuade a terrorised population to vote against an authoritarian regime. It’s a high stakes gig that makes for a nail-biting, rousing, mesmerising drama.

Director Pablo Larrain shot the film on Sony U-Matic video so that it blended in with clips of Pinochet, the actual No ads and other historical footage that makes up nearly a third of the film. It gives the image a bleached out, fuzzy look that’s initially disconcerting to eyes used to a high definition cinema experience. But soon the effect, just like the bad dad jeans and puffy jackets, ceases to jar and achieves its aim of an authentic 80s feel.

The film has come under fire for presenting an over-simplified version of events and the real vote was much more complex than getting people to dance around under a rainbow banner. That may be so, but what comes through clearly is the fortitude of ordinary people to get by under brutal repression and the power of storytelling to make change.

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The People's Reviews

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1 ratings and 2 reviews

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Brilliant rerun of an historic event

Brian1 Flicks Superstar (?)

You'd swear this was history for the purpose of film, if only Pinochet couldhave seen..
Whilst we knew the end the story as told was so full of cut and thrust between 2 who should have been on the same side that it did build to an enthralling end.

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Does slick advertising trump political ideas?

Ian_Anderson Wannabe (?)

In 1988, under international pressure to legitimize his rule over Chile, Augusto Pinochet held a referendum. Vote "Si" for 8 more years of Pinochet or vote "No" to have a presidential election. Each side would get 15 minutes campaign time on late night TV.

Hot advertising 'creative' Rene criticise the 'No' team's factual and negative material and is challenged to do better. He recycles ideas from a recent soft drink advertising campaign and adds a rainbow logo. His boss is recruited by the other side, which adds tension at work. As the effectiveness of Rene's approach becomes apparent to the government, the campaign turns nasty both on screen and off screen. Many Chileans expected the government to rig the referendum and so the result takes them by surprise.

This is not a film about the characters, it is about the power of advertising and the misuse of the power of government. It is a reminder of how much we all depend on the willingness of those in power to relinquish that power.

It was filmed using rebuilt Sony U-matic video cameras to give it an authentic early 1980s feel, this means it doesn't look good on a big cinema screen.

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Press Reviews

Boston Globe

No is a comedy, but of a dangerous sort. Its eyes are open and the laughs tend to stick in your throat. Full review.

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

The film becomes a sort of boxing match, getting more intense with each round, building to an exciting finish. Full review.

Empire (UK)

Initially jarring, the video aesthetic blends beautifully with period footage to give a smart depiction of a nation in transition. A well-deserved Oscar nominee. Full review.

Guardian (UK)

A fascinating case study in basic-level democracy. Full review.

Time Out New York

The essential thrust here is both knowing and undeniable: No is pitched at the pivot point when the image makers were brazen enough to push ideology to the side. Considering how high the stakes were, it’s amazing they almost didn’t get the gig. Full review.

Total Film (UK)

“We have to find a product that’s appealing to people!” says Garcia Bernal at one point. And that’s just what Larraín’s created with this Latin spin on "Mad Men." Full review.

AV Club (USA)

The most unexpectedly riotous comedy in years -- one with more bite than usual. Full review.

Hollywood Reporter

A decisive transitional chapter in Chilean history yields an absorbing account of one country's unlikely route from oppression to democracy Full review.