El Norte

3 Ratings: 5.0

An American and British film that is part of the Criterion Collection.

El Norte (1983) is an American and British film, directed by Gregory Nava. The screenplay was written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The movie was first presented at the Telluride Film Festival in 1983, and its wide release was in January 1984. The picture … see full wiki

Tags: Movies, Drama Movies, Drama

Cast: Tony Plana, Lupe Ontiveros, Trinidad Silva, Enrique J. Castillo

Director: Gregory Nava

Genre: Drama

Release Date: January 11, 1984

MPAA Rating: R

1 review about El Norte

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An overlooked classic from Gregory Nava

Aug 4, 2009

by Captain_Couth

Rating:

El Norte is sadly an overlooked and underrated film from Gregory Nava. Before he made bio-pictures for Hollywood, Mr. Nava was a great film maker. His heart breaking EL NORTE is about two central American Indian peasants who risk everything so they could start a new life in the land of milk and honey "El Norte". They struggle through many hardships in their travels from Guatemala through the rough and wild terrain of Mexico and the sleazy "Coyotes" who always try to make a buck on the blood and sweat of these naive immigrant workers who want a chance at the American way of life.

Politics aside you have to feel for these people who are willing to work for little just so they could have all the things we take for granted. Their hard work makes it able for people to buy at cost produce and cheaper goods. A gritty film that will make you think about what these so called "illegals" have to go through. I saw this film many years ago and it's an experience. Even though the print I saw was dark and grainy I still enjoyed it and I can't wait to see it on DVD.

The only film I can compare to this is Journey of Hope, a film about illegal immigrants from Turkey who migrate to Switzerland in horrific conditions.

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MarySoderstrom August 04, 2009

A friend saw this last spring when it was shown during the Hot Docs festival in Toronto, and agreed that it was terrific. Haven't seen it, but I plan on seeing it. Another film you might like is After the Wedding by director Susanne Bier. Apparently it is going to be remade by Hollywood.