El Paciente Interno (The Convict Patient) is the true story of Carlos Castañeda de la Fuente. In an attempt to avenge the 1968 Tlatelolco student massacre, Castañeda tried, in 1970, to kill the Mexican President, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. Succeeding only in shooting the chassis of another politician’s car, Castañeda was arrested, tortured and imprisoned.
For 23 years he was treated as a psychiatric patient: medicated, kept in solitary confinement (for 4 years) and ultimately, incarcerated with killers and the mentally ill; all to keep his silence.
In 2009, we meet a 69 year old Castañeda, entering a men’s shelter. Director Alejandro Solar Luna had been searching for him and, finding him living on the streets, tried to do something to help Castañeda, following the years of injustice. We get to know modern-day Castañeda a little as his extraordinary chronicle unfolds.
The documentary sets the society of late 60’s Mexico, with its frightening political machinations and abhorrent treatment of mental illness and criminals, against the backdrop of Castañeda’s new home, the modern day men’s shelter. These scenes, simply shot, fly-on-the-wall style, perfectly expose every aspect of human frailty.
Castañeda’s recall is extraordinary and, despite his treatment and subsequent life on the streets, he appears a lot saner than might be expected, and certainly more lucid. He is polite, intense and gentle past the religious fervour and pain from his past that so clearly still affects him.
The absence of voice-over narrative is refreshing; we are not spoon-fed this complex story. Lawyer Norma Ibañez, psychiatric doctors, a psychiatric patient, a nurse, care workers, Castañeda’s brother Pedro and Castañeda himself weave between the re-telling of events and remarkable stock footage. The resultant facts and effects, spanning 45 years, are heartbreaking.
As with all good documentaries, the architect also gives us a glimpse of other stories encountered along the way. The Convict Patient reveals the fascinating psychopath killer, Fulgencio, who is interviewed about being an inmate with Castañeda. Here’s hoping Solar Luna has a taste for more documentary making.
The debut feature film of director Alejandro Solar Luna is an incredible, well-told story. To-camera interviews reveal the intricate details of this great political thriller which utilises sound effects brilliantly in the desolate soundscape, consistent through to the chilling closing credits. The pace, whilst initially and effectively slow, peaks at the perfect time.
In Spanish with English subtitles, this is the story of a cover-up of epic proportions, minus the conspiracy about whodunit.
El Paciente Interno (The Convict Patient) screened at the Mercury Cinema as part of the Hola Mexico Film Festival.
Reviewed by Gordon Forester
Rating out of 10: 7
The Hola Mexico Film Festival runs 29 November to 8 December 2013 exclusively at the Mercury Cinema.
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