It was a frustrating experience to watch "Code Name: Emperor" (Código Emperador) and to attempt to sort out the convoluted places, names, and events surrounding the nefarious actions of Juan and his Mission Impossible team.
A major question that is raised is whether Juan's actions serve a positive interest or if they are in the service of a "deep state" ruled by the military. For example, the elaborate framing of Alex the politician through the "honey trap" engineered by Juan and Marta was highly ambiguous. Marta is as much a victim as Alex, and it appeared at the end that the naive Alex has a sword of Damocles held over his head by the military elite, as well as the media; Charo the journalist has been gifted with Juan's hard drive.
The best relationship developed through the film was the improbable romantic connection between Juan and Wendy (Abaday), an illegal immigrant who risks being deported thanks to Juan. Working as a maid, Abaday becomes a pawn used by Juan in the same way he exploited Marta.
The world view depicted in the film was that of a scary totalitarian state. The Spain of "Código Emperador" is one that is a throwback to the decades of authoritarian rule by Franco.
A major question that is raised is whether Juan's actions serve a positive interest or if they are in the service of a "deep state" ruled by the military. For example, the elaborate framing of Alex the politician through the "honey trap" engineered by Juan and Marta was highly ambiguous. Marta is as much a victim as Alex, and it appeared at the end that the naive Alex has a sword of Damocles held over his head by the military elite, as well as the media; Charo the journalist has been gifted with Juan's hard drive.
The best relationship developed through the film was the improbable romantic connection between Juan and Wendy (Abaday), an illegal immigrant who risks being deported thanks to Juan. Working as a maid, Abaday becomes a pawn used by Juan in the same way he exploited Marta.
The world view depicted in the film was that of a scary totalitarian state. The Spain of "Código Emperador" is one that is a throwback to the decades of authoritarian rule by Franco.