El Norte (1983)

Mayan Indian peasants, tired of being thought of as nothing more than "brazos fuertes" ("strong arms", i.e., manual laborers) and organizing in an effort to improve their lot in life, are ... See full summary »

Director:

Gregory Nava

Writers:

Gregory Nava (story), Anna Thomas

Stars:

Ernesto Gómez Cruz, David Villalpando, Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ernesto Gómez Cruz	...	Arturo
David Villalpando	...	Enrique
Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez	...	Rosa
Alicia del Lago	...	Lupe
Mike Gomez	...	Informer
Jose Martin Ruano	...	Foreman
Stella Quan	...	Josefita
Heraclio Zepeda	...	Pedro (as Eraclio Zapeda)
Emilio Gomez Ozuna	...	Luis
Daniel Lemus Valenzuela	...	Encarnacion
Rodrigo Puebla	...	El Puma the Soldier
Yosahandi Navarrete Quan	...	Josefita's Daughter
Rodolfo De Alexandre	...	Ramon
Emilio Del Haro	...	Truck Driver
Jorge Moreno	...	Old Man on Bus

Storyline

Mayan Indian peasants, tired of being thought of as nothing more than "brazos fuertes" ("strong arms", i.e., manual laborers) and organizing in an effort to improve their lot in life, are discovered by the Guatemalan army. After the army destroys their village and family, a brother and sister, teenagers who just barely escaped the massacre, decide they must flee to "El Norte" ("the North", i.e., the USA). After receiving clandestine help from friends and humorous advice from a veteran immigrant on strategies for traveling through Mexico, they make their way by truck, bus and other means to Los Angeles, where they try to make a new life as young, uneducated, and illegal immigrants.

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Plot Keywords:

immigrant | mayan indian | mexico | illegal immigrant | rat | 

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Taglines:

The magical film that reveals the world between the dream and the reality

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

Spanish Maya English

Release Date:

27 January 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

The North

Filming Locations:

Chiapas, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse, Channel Four Films, Independent Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The immigration office scene was shot in an actual immigration office in California. David Villalpando and Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez were legitimately anxious while filming this scene, because they did not have official working papers that would have permitted them to work legally in the United States and were only carrying travel visas. Fortunately, none of the actual immigration officers second-guessed.

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Goofs

Whe Rosa and Enrique go through the tunnel, it is high enough for them to crawl on hands and knees, yet they crawl through on their stomaches.

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Quotes

Jorge: Rosa... it doesn't matter!

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Connections

Referenced in Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Adagio for Strings"
Written by Samuel Barber

User Reviews

An overlooked classic from Gregory Nava.

El Norte (1983) 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 immigrant workers who want a chance at the American way of life.

Politics aside (people who have read my reviews know which side I stand on) you have to feel for these people who are willing to work for little just so they could have useless things. Ironically their hard work makes it able for people to buy at cost produce and cheaper goods. A gritty film that'll make you think about what these so called "illegals" have to go through. I wished this movie was available on d.v.d. in a restored format. I saw this film many years ago. The print was dark and grainy. The audio was no great shakes either. One day, people will be able to see this film. Until then check your local libraries or maybe by some ray of hope P.B.S. will air it once more (but considering the current leadership of P.B.S. that's highly unlikely).

Highest recommendation possible.