October 2024

Sergio Juarez (Eugenio Derbez, who also starred in Oscar winner CODA) is the new teacher at a poor school in a Mexican border town. Ravaged by negligence, corruption and violence, neither the town nor the school offer many options for the lost youth. Frustrated by a general sense of apathy, Sergio turns to drastic methods to gain the students’ interest and help them realise their potential. However, he soon finds out that he’ll have to overcome obstacles he never saw coming. 

Based on the story of real-life teacher Sergio Juárez Correa, Radical is an uplifting film about fighting the status quo. Featuring a wonderful central performance from Derbez, the film won the audience Festival Favourite Award at Sundance.

Festivals:

Sundance Film Festival 2023

Glasgow Film Festival 2024

Awards

Festival Favourite Award – Sundance Film Festival 2023

Quotes:

‘Boosted by some lovely performances from its young actors, writer-director Christopher Zalla’s sometimes-creaky feel-good film is most affecting when it explores how some children can have their future taken away only too soon.’’ - Tim Grierson, Screen International

‘‘Radical isn’t so much an irresponsibly magical against-the-odds yarn as a truthful one, in which a well-intentioned outsider can only go so far in protecting underprivileged students from certain grim paths.’’ - Tomris Laffly, Variety

‘The strength of the story rests firmly in Derbez's sensitive portrayal and his touching moments with each student, proving that Sergio does know how to spark a genuine excitement for education by tapping into a child's personal interests.’’ -Tatiana Hullender, Screen Rant

Other: 

Based on a True Story