Character Relationship Map: No

Characters

• René Saaverdra (played by Gael García Bernal) — protagonist

  A successful advertising creator approached by the No campaign who proposes an optimistic marketing strategy, faces intimidation, refuses a partnership offer from his boss, and leads the campaign to v...

• Lucho Guzmán (played by Alfredo Castro) — protagonist

  Saavedra's boss who offers him a partnership to withdraw from the campaign; when refused, he heads the Yes campaign to ensure his own survival.

• 'Sí' Campaign Publicist (played by Paulo Brunetti) — minor
• Campaign Director (played by Pablo Krögh) — minor
• 'No' Campaign Young Participant (played by Pedro Peirano) — minor
• Militar (played by Sergio Hernández) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Lucho Guzmán → 'Sí' Campaign Publicist (Professional Campaign Colleague) — The Yes campaign publicist works within the campaign Lucho leads.

  Lucho heads the Yes campaign, whose advertising has few creative personnel available.

• 'No' Campaign Young Participant → Campaign Director (Professional Campaign Member) — The young participant operates within the campaign structure overseen by its leadership.

  The No campaign includes young participants and campaign leadership during its coordinated advertising effort.

• René Saaverdra → Lucho Guzmán (Professional Boss And Employee) — Their workplace relationship becomes strained when Saaverdra joins the No campaign.

  Lucho is Saaverdra's politically conservative boss at the advertising company.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• 'No' Campaign Young Participant → 'Sí' Campaign Publicist (Conflict Campaign Opponents) — They are aligned with rival referendum campaigns.

  The young participant works with the No campaign, while the publicist works for the opposing Yes campaign.

• Campaign Director → 'Sí' Campaign Publicist (Conflict Opposing Campaign Official) — Their campaign roles place them on opposite sides of the political contest.

  The Campaign Director is associated with the No campaign, while the Yes campaign presents the opposing referendum position.

• 'Sí' Campaign Publicist → René Saaverdra (Conflict Advertising Rival) — The two publicists represent opposing advertising approaches in the referendum.

  The Yes campaign's dry and heavy-handed advertising competes directly with Saaverdra's entertaining No campaign presentations.

• Militar → 'No' Campaign Young Participant (Conflict Authority Pressure) — The young campaign participant belongs to the group exposed to official intimidation.

  Saaverdra, his son, and his colleagues are targeted and intimidated by authorities during the campaign.

• Militar → Campaign Director (Conflict Campaign Interference) — Military-backed authorities obstruct the campaign's communication efforts.

  The government attempts to interfere with the No campaign through intimidation and blatant censorship.

• René Saaverdra → Militar (Conflict Target Of Intimidation) — Saaverdra becomes a direct target of state pressure because of his campaign work.

  Saaverdra and his colleagues are targeted and intimidated by authorities during the campaign.

• René Saaverdra → 'No' Campaign Young Participant (Alliance Teammate) — They belong to the broader No campaign effort.

  Saaverdra works with No campaign colleagues during the month of television advertisements and public campaigning.

• René Saaverdra → Campaign Director (Alliance Campaign Collaborator) — Saaverdra works with the campaign leadership to reshape its public communication.

  Saaverdra is approached by the No campaign to consult on its advertising, and the campaign ultimately approves his proposed approach.

Story Analysis

An advertising creator transforms a fearful referendum campaign into a hopeful mass movement that defeats military rule at the ballot box.

Plot Progression

1. A Vote Against the Regime — Chile's military regime calls a plebiscite on its continued rule. The No campaign recruits advertising creator René Saaverdra to help communicate its case.
2. Selling the Idea of Joy — Saaverdra rejects the campaign's depressing catalogue of abuses and proposes an optimistic appeal centered on joy. The campaign leadership approves the risky new strategy.
3. The Workplace Becomes a Battleground — Lucho discovers Saaverdra's political work and offers him a partnership to withdraw. Saaverdra refuses, and Lucho responds by heading the Yes campaign.
4. Censorship Backfires — The No campaign wins attention through entertaining television presentations while the Yes campaign struggles creatively. Intimidation and censorship increase, but the No team turns those tactics agai...
5. The Night Chile Chooses — International endorsements and street rallies intensify the No campaign's momentum, while the Yes side imitates its advertising. Despite early uncertainty on referendum day, the No vote prevails and t...