Caluga o Menta

Overview

Niki and his friends are members of the marginalised underclass living on the outskirts of Santiago. During Chile's transition from dictatorship to democracy (1988-1990), they forge a path from drug- and drink-fuelled nihilism and petty crime into the world of market-driven illegality and Niki begins a seemingly predestined relationship with the middle-class "loca", Manuela. Memorable episodes and characters, quotable dialogue and a mix of earthy national portrait and surrealistic flourish make this one of the key Chilean films of the Nineties.

Directed by Gonzalo Justiniano

Top cast

H

Hector Vega Mauricio

Niki

Patricia Rivadeneira

Manuela

Aldo Parodi

Nacho

C

Cecilia Godoy

Negra

Mauricio Pesutic

Dealer

R

Rodrigo Gijón

M

Myriam Palacios

Niki's Mother

Luis Alarcón

Javier

Remigio Remedy

Gustavo

D

David Olguisser

R

Rodrigo Peña

El Feto

Jorge Gajardo

Workshop Chief

M

Mireya Véliz

Old Woman

C

Claudia Santelices

Flaca

Luis Cornejo

Old mechanic

Ernesto Malbrán

Truck driver

Víctor Mix

Huaso

P

Pablo Striano

Interrogator

M

Max Corvalán

Niki's brother-in-law

Alejandra Fosalba

Young Woman at the party

Details