Tear This Heart Out

The events unfold over several years in 1930s Mexico, a period of post-revolution politics and social change. The era frames Catalina’s coming-of-age within a male-dominated society and marks Andrés’s rise to power. Political campaigns, land and development plans, and personal relationships intersect against a backdrop of national transformation.

The story moves between the urban backdrop of Puebla and the surrounding rural hacienda landscapes near Tecolutla. Puebla provides a stage for political maneuvering, while the countryside scenes reveal class contrasts and traditional life in 1930s Mexico. The setting underscores the social dynamics that shape the characters’ choices and the narrative’s tensions.

⚖️ Power & Control

Power dynamics drive the plot as Andrés leverages his military and political authority to influence Catalina’s life. The couple’s movements between city and hacienda reveal how authority can privilege some while constraining others. The story examines how control can masquerade as protection, shaping personal autonomy and fate.

🚺 Patriarchy & Gender

Catalina’s life unfolds within a patriarchal system that expects obedience and confines women to defined roles. The tension between her desires and societal expectations exposes the fragility of female agency in a power-driven world. The narrative uses her experiences to critique gender norms and their emotional toll.

💼 Political Corruption

Andrés’s ambitions intertwine governance with private利益, highlighting how development projects can be entangled with personal gain. The dam plans threaten villagers, illustrating the human cost of political scheming. The film contrasts reform rhetoric with actions that prioritize influence and wealth.