Exploring the Impact of Nervous Depression in 'Una Noche' Film

This essay explores the theme of nervous depression in the film 'Una Noche,' focusing on the characters of Raul, Lila, and Elio. It examines Raul's breakdown at work due to racial slurs and bullying, Lila's low self-esteem stemming from body image issues and family problems, and Raul's panic attacks triggered by stressful events. The analysis highlights how these instances of nervous depression serve as catalysts for the characters' actions and contribute to the film's overall narrative, particularly in driving the plot towards their escape to Miami. The essay concludes that nervous depression is a significant element woven into the storyline, influencing crucial junctures and character development.

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Nervous Depression the ultimate trigger in the journey of Una Noche
Introduction
Una Noche (One Night) is a story of the dreams and aspirations of three teenagers, Raul. Lila
and Elio. They are living in Cuba. They are suffering from different type of problems in their
life and seeking for a resort in Miami where they can get a political asylum and serve in the
land of opportunity for a better life (Solis, 2014). This film is all about their journey from the
dark allies of Havana to the sunny shores of Miami. The film depicts a lot of upheavals in the
life of the main characters and the symptoms of the nervous depression also play a crucial
role to create some plot points in the story. In the current essay, we are highlighting some of
them and explaining their bearing on the main plot.
Raul’s breakdown at his working place
In the terminology of the medical science the presence of nervous depression gives us an idea
that a subject is not able to handle certain extreme situations. The attack of nervous
depression can hit a person anywhere (Gillihan, 2018). The psychologists have classified the
work-related nervous breakdown in many conditions, in the case of Raul he was feeling a bit
depersonalize at his workplace. He was a victim of a racial slur; his colleagues were
constantly bullying him for an alleged sexual disorientation. He was also not happy because
he was compromising on his dignity (Holden, 2013). We can see a slight attack of aggression
when he tries to hit one of his colleagues against the act of the bullying. It was not anger;
ideally, he should have complained about the misbehavior, however, his extreme reaction
gives us an idea that he was unable to manage his nerves well. This sequence of the film
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indicates about one of the catalysts that force him to become a part of that fateful journey
(Aschkenan, 2013).
Lila's low self-esteem
Grown-up teenagers often feel uncomfortable about their bodies, it brings in a low self-
esteem among them. The character of Lila is the storyteller of the story, the film moves ahead
with her voice over; during the course of this voice over she often says that she is feeling
lonely. She feels that she is stressed about certain events in her life; her father's behavior
towards her mother is one among them (Mulloy, 2013). Her bodily appearance in compassion
with the other girls and turbulence in the life of brother Elio are few trigger points that forces
her into a nervous depression for the time being. During her journey in the boat, her
proximity with Raul and the confession of the Raul that she loves Lila acts as a medicine for
her and helps her in coming out of the low self-esteem and a probable beginning of a serious
nervous disorder or a depression (Aquino, 2013).
The Panic attacks of Raul
There are three occasions in the film when the author gives us a hint of serious nervous
disorder in the case of Raul. After the fateful incidence when he accidentally hit a British
tourist, he dodges the police many times. His consent drinking during that period brings three
episodes of nervous depression in him. The first incident is the incident when he started to
panic from uniformed personals (Gillihan, 2018). This attack forces him to sit on the top of a
building. The dialogues give us this information that Raul was a frequent visitor of that place.
However, when Elio discovers him sitting on the top of the same rise he reacts differently.
After looking at him Raul breaks down and tries to commit suicide. The occurrence of
suicidal tendencies is a symptom of serious nervous depression.
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This suicidal attempt of the Raul instigates Elio to chalk out a plan for the escape. The
symptoms of a probable nervous breakdown also make an entry during the scene when Shark
fishes attack the boat. Here the author took a cinematographic license, during the first Shark
attack, Raul suffers from a severe panic attack (Aquino, 2013). However, during the second
attack, he bravely fights with Sharks and successfully rescues Lila from dire consequences.
Conclusion
Una Noche is a layered plot where many complexities of the characters are pushing the plot
further and forcing it to reach to an end. When we fragment this storyline under the heads of
the story elements then nervous depression of the Raul emerges as a thread weaved in the
main storyline. It makes an appearance on many crucial junctures and serves as a plot point in
the main story. In the case of Lila, it presents the culmination of the problem. After the
confession of Raul's love for her she finally comes out of her low self-esteem and feels good
about her body even when she was a part of the dangerous mission.
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Bibliography
Aquino, T. (2013). Interview: "Una Noche" Director Lucy Mulloy Talks Shooting in Cuba, Defecting to
America, and Breaking Into the Film Industry . Com-Plex , https://www.complex.com/pop-
culture/2013/08/una-noche-lucy-mulloy-interview.
Aschkenan, L. (2013). Stranger than Fiction: Filmmaker Lucy Mulloy on Cuba, Una Noche and the
Character-Driven Drama. Los Angels Review of Books ,
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/81739/#!
Gillihan, S. J. (2018). Signs Your College Student May Be Having a Mental Health Crisis. Web Md ,
https://blogs.webmd.com/mental-health/2018/12/7-signs-your-college-student-may-be-
having-a-mental-health-crisis.html.
Holden, S. (2013). Havana Fantasies, Biology and Geography. New York Times ,
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/movies/in-una-noche-teenagers-flee-cuba.html.
Mulloy, L. (2013). Lucy Mulloy on Una Noche . Filmmaker , Brandon Harris .
Solis, J. (2014). Una Noche' Is Admirable for Its Effort, but Not for Its Intention. Poop Matters ,
https://www.popmatters.com/177910-una-noche-2495696671.html.
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