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

In the section Speaking the Unspeakable, we analysed how a serious topic such
as forced disappearances could be addressed through the language of humour, making it
easier for the public to talk about such disappearances and perhaps to overcome it. It
would be wrong to say that films were the only media used to raise this topic, since
comics did as well. There were other channels, although limited, to draw attention about
disappearances, such as pamphlets or word-of-mouth, but to find a playful way to
broach this behaviour helps us think about it without being overwhelmed.
Another practice that was savagely caricatured in Calzonzin Inspector was the
acarreo, bringing people to official events to pretend that the government has
supporters. The topic is not exclusive to films, as we noticed some references to it in the
comics, but it is the insistence and exaggeration throughout the film that makes us think
that Arau wanted the audience to reflect on it. The acarreo might seem like a mild
practice that does not harm anyone, but often people were forced to attend events and
appear to support the government. It was a way to construct an image of legitimacy for
a government whose democratic credentials were very questionable. To show how
ridiculous this practice was, Arau exaggerated it so much that it became a grotesque
(but funny) irony of reality. The film will not change reality, although once we notice
how absurd reality is, we might find the will to oppose it.
It seems clear that during the Echeverría sexenio there was greater tolerance of
open dissent. We will return to this issue in the conclusion, as well as a consideration of
the similarities and differences between films and comics, and what difference the
language of humour made to the discussion of these issues. However, a final reflection
here on the use of humour to attack those we consider our antithesis. In these films we
see that the authorities, including civil servants who control access to state services were
considered to be adverse for society. But abuse of power is more widespread. In
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