Unflinchingly direct, emotionally nuanced, and terrifically well executed: In the Defence Against Tyranny is a political thriller with a score to settle. Felix Igori Ramos is the writer and director behind this award winning feature film, proving to be equally talented in both fields.
The story follows journalist Frank Suarez, who is by no means the most shining example of a husband and father. Frank’s wife, Cassandra, discovered him having an affair shortly before finding out she had cancer. When Cassandra died, it left Frank to raise his teenage daughter, Elise, alone. Crushed with a guilt that drives him to drink, Frank attempts to keep the relationship with Elise alive despite her blaming him for Cassandra giving up on hopes of survival.
The emotional core of the film is heavy; Frank is suicidal, an alcoholic struggling with the pain of loss and guilt. Running concurrently with this is a narrative equally as heavy; the story of a political tyrant who spreads violent rhetoric. Edward Ashe (Rick Ravanello) is set to become the next president of the United States, much to the horror of many – including Frank’s daughter, Elise. Ravanello captures the insidious politician very well, being just the right amount of villainous without straying into melodrama.
Although the political angle of the film is important and very engaging, for me the emotional relationship between Frank and Elise was the true high point. Randy Vasquez as Frank and Fernanda Moya as Elise work excellently on screen together. The father-daughter relationship here is a complicated and strained one, but Vasquez and Moya have no trouble carrying the depth of the backstory. What is even more impressive is how the pair manage to maintain a level of humour and light-heartedness throughout that adds light to the shadier parts of the narrative.
Felix Igori Ramos recognises the importance of this emotional dimension; it differentiates his film from the kinds that have come before it. Although In the Defence Against Tyranny has its fair share of grit, there is also a softer, more human element present. The film is framed in a unique way, by an extra-diegetic voiceover from Elise. This gives the narrative a story-like feel without jeopardising the reflections of reality within the film.
Without giving too much away, when Frank is presented with the opportunity to interview Ashe, he has more than one important decision to make.
Full of passion and hope for the future, In the Defence Against Tyranny is a touching and thought-provoking tour-de-force. A testament to the talent of Felix Igori Ramos as a writer and director.
In the Defence Against Tyranny is available to watch on Amazon Prime!