Leticia Neria PhD thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText ...

expectation is confounded. The breaking of the frame of reference surprises us, and
because the situation is out of context, we have a comic moment. Besides, since the
frustration does not hurt us, even if we feel badly for that man we are not that man, the
enjoyment is greater. Our anxiety or indignation are transformed into pleasure. Later in
the scene, we also see a secretary solving a crossword puzzle instead of working. These
images help us deal with the idea that far from helping citizens, civil servants are idle
and disrespectful and through the act of humour we undermine the frustrations that
these facts cause us.
The authorities and the oligarchies are those most commonly denounced in the
films studied for this research. That does not mean that the faults of other citizens are
not criticised. They are less frequent but there are some examples that are interesting to
consider. As we know, in 1968, the media, and especially the press, was criticised for
not being impartial and for its support of the government. During the student
demonstrations the press was referred to as ¡Prensa Vendida! 125 The idea of a pro-
government press is raised in some of the films; journalists are depicted as corrupted by
the system, and those few who are not, and who dare to challenge the decisions of the
authorities, are punished.
The journalist in Calzonzin Inspector is a man who works closely with Don
Perpetuo’s office. He does whatever the Mayor asks him to do, even if it is something
irrational, like announcing that it was ‘prohibido ensuciarse por orden de la
autoridad’. 126 He also participates actively in the events organised by the government,
such as leading a demonstration for Calzonzin and reading his supposed biography,
obviously invented by the journalist since they do not know who Calzonzin actually is.
125 Raúl Jardón, 1968, el fuego de la esperanza (Mexico: siglo veintinuno editores, 1998), p. 204.
According to Jardón, referring to the press that way was one of the students’ slogans during the
movement.
126 Arau, Calzonzin Inspector, 1973.
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