[2] Critics regard it as one of the finest films in Chilean cinema, alongside Miguel Littín's The Jackal of Nahueltoro, Raúl Ruiz's Three Sad Tigers, Patricio Guzmán's The Battle of Chile, and Andrés Wood's Machuca.

[3] Don Julio García del Castaño is a wealthy landowner who must secure the future of his estate.

To do so, he must train his son and heir, Julio (affectionately called Julito), in the necessary skills to become a man.

Due to a severely limited budget, actors and crew members received only minimal compensation for their participation.

Julio comienza en julio already exhibits several traits that would establish Silvio Caiozzi as one of the most important Chilean film directors, including a strong sense of mise-en-scène, remarkable skill in directing actors, and a keen ability to convey political messages about the country through implicit means.