René Saavedra (Bernaz) is an advertising executive with a young son, an ex-wife and a high paying job. Except that’s where the normality ends. René lives and works in 1980s Chile, a country controlled by the dictator Augusto Pinochet – a man who arrested 80,000, tortured 30,000 and murdered 3200 people during his 17 year rule.

In a snap decision, and under pressure from international allies, Pinochet calls for a referendum on his leadership, with the Yes and No campaigns given 15 minutes every night to present their case on television in the 27 days leading up to the election. René is approached by the No campaign and although the members of the old guard are determined to remind Chileans of the brutality of Pinochet, René instead recommends pointing to the happiness available under a democratic regime. René’s use of advertising gimmicks, jingles, comedy and dance numbers to overthrow a dictator is treated with great irony by director Larraín, and we’re never quite convinced of René’s motivations.

No is based on and stars a series of real life figures and the film’s stylistic use of the early ’80s U-matic video camera envelops the audience in this treacherous Chile, where the advertising of Coca-Cola is used as a tool for enabling political freedom.

A beguiling, entertaining, and engaging film, No deserved its nomination for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards, and is well worth a watch.