7 Cajas: The Art of The Chase Scene

Contrasting two scenes from the revolutionary Paraguayan thriller

One of Paraguay's highest grossing films and known for breaking box office records, 7 Cajas (2012) is a cinematic masterpiece as well as a revolutionary representation of the country.

7 Cajas [7 Boxes] a thriller action film about a 17-year-old cart pusher named Victor who, eager to get his own phone, accepts a questionable job offer to carry 7 boxes of unknown content through the Mercado [market] 4, Asunción. Victor has to dodge the many police officers patrolling the market, his rival Nelson and his gang trying to kill him for the precious merchandise, all while protecting the boxes with his life.

Practically the entire film is shot with a hand-held camera, elevating the emotion and intensity of the story. It really immerses you into the moment during acts of tension, action, and the many insane chase scenes of the movie. The directors, Tana Schémbori and Juan Carlos Maneglia, are known for their brisk story pacing and bold camera moves.

This style is best portrayed in two of the most important chase scenes of the film: when Victor races through the market to protect the boxes versus when Victor opens the boxes, and runs away from what he finds.

At the 24 minute mark, a box is stolen right off of Victor’s cart and he chases after the robber. This scene is the first intense chase scene of the movie, foreshadowing the dangers of this job yet to come to Victor. But it cycles through the same few frames:

The camera is first positioned on his profile, looking through all the market stands, trying to catch up with Victor as he pushes through the crowds of people.

Then the camera is behind Victor, we see him follow close behind the robber, weaving in and out of the market.

It cuts to in front of Victor, we see his face as he desperately chases the robber. Victor has tunnel vision, only mission to get that box!

There’s a bird’s-eye-view, we see them speed through the market’s tin roof tops. Then the camera is positioned on the ground, filming their feet as they run.

Now contrast this with the scene at the 36 minute mark: after Victor opens the boxes, fed up with risking his life for these mysterious merchandise, and discovers he’s been pushing around (spoiler alert!) a dead body. Which has the exact same sequence of frames! Except this time, instead of Victor desperately defending the boxes, he’s desperately running away.