Battle in Heaven | DVD Review

A man breathes heavily while staring blankly into the camera. The camera moves slowly outwards to reveal his naked, distended belly and a shock of blond dreadlocks bobbing back and forth. As the camera arcs across his body, it reveals a young woman graphically performing oral sex.

This is the shocking, yet meditative opening shot of Carlos Reygadas’ Battle in Heaven. The Mexican filmmaker has followed his acclaimed Japon (2002), with a searing tale of modern day Mexico City. When Battle in Heaven premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, Reygadas and his stars were grilled over the film’s graphic sex scenes. His simple, yet eloquent answer was that sex is not limited to Hollywood’s definition of it; it occurs between the old and young, the rich and poor, and the fat and skinny. Reygadas’ actors described a sense of appreciation towards him for providing them with a chance to explore their honesty on screen. In essence this honesty, and the difficult search for it, is what characterizes this film.

Battle in Heaven tells the story of Marcos, a poor chauffeur living in Mexico City. He and his wife have just kidnapped a baby for ransom but it has suddenly died. Marcos, in an odd state of withdrawn melancholy begins to focus his attention and sexual desire on the free-spirited Ana, for whom he is a chauffeur. The film documents his battle with love, guilt, and redemption. But his story is simply used as a context with which Reygadas exposes the dichotomy of Mexico and its people. Marcos’ story speaks of wealth and poverty, religion and secularism, and modernity and traditionalism. Throughout the film the camera lingers behind the characters but suddenly wanders off into their surroundings. It is as if Reygadas is saying, “look around, this is what forms these people.” And these surroundings are as intrinsically contradictory as the characters themselves. The great panoramic shot atop a green hill is contrasted by roaring traffic. This wonderful, yet tragic conflict is embodied in the film’s dramatic title, Battle in Heaven. As Marcos moves through the story seeking an honest peace, he must battle these many opposing forces, both in and outside himself. At times he wins, at others he loses. The film is both beautiful and frightening. Not for everyone, but certainly worth the watch.


This DVD is has some very good features, the best of which is a 25 minute interview with director, Reygadas and his starlet, Ana Mushkadiz. It was filmed during the Cannes festival in 2005, and both are as brutally honest as the film itself. They shy away from no answer and their profundity helps gain insight into the nature of the film. There are also several segments from Reygadas’ first film Japon. They act more as an advertisement for the film than anything else (unless you have seen it, they won’t make much sense). Nonetheless, each clip is interesting in itself and will no doubt whet certain viewers appetites. A director’s commentary would have been appreciated, but Reygadas’ no holds barred interview is enough to stave off any major criticism. Sometimes it’s quality over quantity.

Battle in Heaven is a quiet and illuminating tale of life in Mexico City. Not for everyone, but it will definitely be appreciated by those ready for a change of pace.

Movie rating – 3

Disc Rating – 2.5