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

the army in an unfavourable light. Censorship in Mecánica Nacional was avoided by
dressing the army official in civilian clothes, although the criticism of the army was
indeed sharp, understanding the character as the representation of the Mexican army,.
Alfonso Arau was less refined with his army characters in Calzonzin Inspector, but
since the film was a slapstick and the characters and situations were very exaggerated,
the criticism appeared diluted. The style was an invitation not to take the film seriously.
At the beginning of the film a caption advised us that any similarity between the film
and real life would be a coincidence, and although this was an obvious irony, it could be
used as an alibi.
Another difference between the films and comics was the discussion of
disabilities. Mecánica Nacional, Calzonzin Inspector and Tívoli showed how society
made fun of the people with disability. Eufemio in Mecánica Nacional refers to the man
who limped as ‘a rumbero’, and the journalist in Calzonzin Inspector told the man with
one leg that he had to leave the parade because he could not ‘follow the step’. Despite
being politically incorrect, we pointed out how these comments are part of the universe
of humour. It suggests that humour can address any topic, although that does not mean
that audiences will find it funny. Discussing disabilities through jokes is a signal of how
society found the disabled different. It opened a discussion in a less formal environment
about disabilities, and was an invitation to consider how to change the public mentality
toward them. In Tívoli, the dwarf magician who is insulted and humiliated by the
audience gains revenge by insulting them publicly. This helps us confront and deal with
his plight, strengthens our criticism, and reflects on the society we belong to. In comics,
disabilities were not addressed. Only La Familia Burrón had a regular character with a
disability, Robertino, a child with poliomyelitis who had to spend his life in a cart. But
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