Cocalero was a Netflix reccomendation. I had a passing interest in it, added it to my queue, and there it languished for two years. It was the first movie in my play instant queue. Every time I went to watch something else, it was there waiting patiently for me to notice it. Last night, I noticed.
Cocalero is a documentary about Evo Morales and his campaign to become the first indigenous (read: Indian) president of Bolivia. Much of the film focuses on his grass roots campaign and the people who support his bid for office. While Morales is heavily entrenched in the unions and vocally pushes for a socialist government, Cocalero comes off as very apolitical. It is more the portrait of a man than a portrait of a political movement or idea.
The camera work is very loose. Lots of handheld shots as we follow Morales and his friends around Bolivia. The quality is very low. This is not a bad thing, but more of a technological nessecity. The crew could not be expected to carry tons of film stock or heavy digital equiment all over the place. The result is a wonderful, little film made with what looks like a high end camcorder.
Not too much to say for this movie. The story was intriguing enough that I had to find out more about Morales the minute it ended. Check it out if his story interests you. If it doesn't, don't worry about it. This is not one of the great "must see" documentaries (of which the last couple decades have produced many) but it's a fine one for those who enjoy documentaries.
8 out of 10
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