Santiago, capital of Chile during the Marxist government of elected, highly controversial president Salvador Allende. Father McEnroe supports his leftist views by introducing a program at the prestigious "collegio" (Catholic prep school) St. Patrick to allow free admission of some proletarian kids. One of them is Pedro Machuca, slum-raised son of the cleaning lady in Gonzalo Infante's liberal-bourgeois home. Yet the new classmates become buddies, paradoxically protesting together as Gonzalo gets adopted by Pedro's slum family and gang. But the adults spoil that too, not in the least when general Pinochet's coup ousts Allende, and supporters such as McEnroe.
as Gonzalo Infante
as Pedro Machuca
as María Luisa
as Father McEnroe
as Roberto
as Silvana
as Juana
as Patricio Infante
as Willy
as Miss Gilda
as Lucy
as Ismael Machuca
as Isabel
as Pablo
as Father Robles
as Colonel Sotomayor
as Parent
as Maria Luisa's Friend 2
as New Teacher
as Soldier
as Tailor
as Rolando Hamilton
as Chofer de Ochagavía
as (uncredited)
as Parent 1
as Waiter
as Kiosquero
as Mother Robles
as Lucas Honorato
as Bus Driver
as Priest 2
as Store Clerk
as Army Sergeant
as Maria Luisa's Friend 3