7 Boxes

7 Boxes (7 Cajas) (2012)

Runtime: 105 minutes

Directed by: Juan Carlos Maneglia/Tana Schembori

Starring: Celso Franco, Victor Sosa, Lali Gonzalez, Nico Garcia, Paletita

From: Maleglia-Schembori Realizadores

How has this not been remade already? See why I feel this way below: 

Paraguay, it's a country I don't know much about; I do know it was a military dictatorship for 35 years until 1989, so that is why their film industry is stunted compared to other countries in South America. However, this did get international attention thus it is easy to rent from a few different streaming sites; considering that and the type of story this is, I am SHOCKED it has not already had an (inferior) American remake.

I understand the movie takes place in 2005; at least that's what I saw in one review. It would make sense, as otherwise Paraguay is way behind the times and it took them years to get cellphones that took pictures and video; oh, what a blast from the past was it to see those circa 2005 Nokia phones. Anyhow, the lead is Victor, a 17 year old who works at a large outdoor market in the capital city of Asuncion. He has a poor background and his job is helping customers transport all the items they purchase at the market. There are a variety of characters you see throughout and yes they do intersect with each other, but Victor is the lead. He does know a girl around the same age as Liz, although they usually bicker with each other.

He is asked by a shady butcher whose shop is about to be visited by police to hold on to 7 boxes for a few hours. Yes, what is contained in those boxes is “pretty hot.” Various misunderstandings happen so things get pretty crazy and plenty of unexpected moments happen too-it was pretty entertaining, if a little far-fetched. 7 Boxes was decently shot and at times it looked like a Wong Kar-Wai movie, of all things. The participants being poor and wanting cash (preferably American dollars, as apparently Paraguay's currency was not doing well at the time) is a major theme, along with Victor being fascinated with television and wanting to become famous.

It was nice seeing the capital city of the country, even if it was mainly the real life market this was set at. As there's an undercurrent of black humor throughout, I never lost interest. One day, I imagine someone from another country (even if it isn't the United States) will do a remake.