Made in Mexico

Made in Mexico, premiered on Netflix in 2018, offers an enticing glimpse into the elite, extravagant world of Mexico City’s high society. This reality television series portrays the lives of nine ritzy socialites as they juggle their vibrant social lives, ambitious career paths, mixed with the traditional Mexican culture that tries to balance modernity and tradition, all the while in the glare of public scrutiny.

The program provides an inside look into a largely insulated world where old money jostles with the nouveau riche, and fame and fortune run alongside centuries-old cultural traditions. From the grandeur of their sprawling estates to the glamour of their high-profile social events, the show provides a fascinating peek into the opulence that defines their lifeworld.

In Made in Mexico, the focus is on the lives of its young, privileged hosts: Pepe Díaz, a well-established entrepreneur nightlife impresario with a past reputation as a playboy; Kitzia Mitre, a fashion designer raised in a family with deep-rooted status in Mexican high society; Carlos Girón Longoria, a television host, model and actor, credited as the connector between the cast members and known for his sardonic humor; Columba Díaz, a successful model who is trying to maintain her spot at the top; Chantal Trujillo, an American fashion blogger and newlywed, trying to balance exploding career opportunities and her desire of starting a family among others.

Incorporating the drama and intrigue that reality television fans crave, Made in Mexico also elevates the genre's typical plot lines with nuanced storytelling touching on issues such as the struggle of identity and the clash of traditional and modern values. Viewers are also treated to exciting slices of Mexican social life: elegant debutante balls, vibrant nightlife, high-class fashion, posh restaurants, and picturesque locations that offer a magical landscape to this intriguing storytelling.

Despite their very privileged lives, the participants in Made in Mexico experience struggles with universal themes. Each of them wrestles with questions of identity, purpose, ambition, and where they fit into a society that is experiencing a shift as the traditional norms and values continue to be challenged by modern ways of life.

For instance, one character grapples with balancing her newfound fame with her desire to maintain her anonymity. Another navigates the complexities of being a modern woman trapped in the expectations of a traditional society, and another character attempts to shed a Playboy image as he settles into a relationship. Made in Mexico's cast's privileged backgrounds enable viewers to be voyeurs to a rich, glamorous world while their struggles and journeys resonate with the audience on a deeper, more personal level.

The show's strength lies in its ability to portray a balanced blend of opulence, culture, appeal, and emotional complexity. In Made in Mexico, the flamboyance of wealth and lifestyle accentuated with Mexico City’s enchanting scenery creates an indulgent viewing experience. But it is in the cast's encounters of love, loss, ambition, and the negotiation of status that audience members may find genuine emotional connections.

Made in Mexico seeks to represent the diverse cultural panorama of Mexico city. The cast's different backgrounds, coming from both Mexican and American origins, and their individual stories shed light on culture clash issues, the meaning of Mexican heritage and identity in a globalized world, and the rich tapestry that is Mexico City's upper class. As the city itself becomes a character in the plot—its noises, its chaos, its vibrant colors, its rich history—viewers are handled with intense local flavors presented with an international outlook.

In Made in Mexico, glitzy escapism intertwines with the personal and relatable in equal measures, crafted into a beautiful narrative that sees drama, landmarks, cuisines, culture, elegance, and the meandering complexities of reality, all set against the stunning backdrop of Mexico City.

At its core, the show is a celebration of Mexican culture and tradition, a fundamental glue that holds the narrative together. Characters often mention and emphasize the importance of family, tradition, and being true Mexicans, pointing out that despite their wealthy lifestyles, they remain deeply connected to their roots.

To summarize, Made in Mexico brings together a blend of reality television drama, lavish lifestyle ambitions, and an intriguing exploration of societal norms and shifts in modern Mexico City. It's a binge-worthy guilty pleasure that defies expectations while carving out its unique space within the reality TV genre. From its rich scenery to the juxtaposition of the traditional and modern exhibited in the lives of its high-society characters, Made in Mexico is as much a feast for the senses as it is an exploration of contemporary Mexican life.