Cartas a Elena (2011)

In the beautiful hills of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, Mexico, a young boy (Emilio) is adopted by the mailman (Teo). As part of their daily tasks, they not only deliver the mail but read... See full summary »

Director:

Llorent Barajas

Writer:

Martin Barajas Llorent

Stars:

Carmen Salinas, Irma Dorantes, Javier López

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carmen Salinas	...	Vieja Zamora
Irma Dorantes	...	Vieja Soto
Javier López	...	Don Jacinto
Jose Eduardo	...	Emilio
Lorena Velázquez	...	Vieja Reyes
Elsa Cárdenas	...	Vieja Madrigal
Evangelina Sosa	...	Tina
Roberto Sosa	...	Viejo Paniagua
Sara Montes	...	Vieja Rios
Hugo Macías Macotela	...	Padre Brambila
Ana Luisa Peluffo	...	Vieja Paniagua
Jaime Jiménez Pons	...	Viejo Soto
Jorge Galván	...	Teo
Miguel Alcaraz	...	Viejo Rios
Mario Humberto Chavez	...	Viejo Reyes

Storyline

In the beautiful hills of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, Mexico, a young boy (Emilio) is adopted by the mailman (Teo). As part of their daily tasks, they not only deliver the mail but read letters to the villagers, as well as take dictation, since most are illiterate. Young Emilio quickly learns to read and write but feels saddened by the mostly difficult stories sent by relatives, that moved north to Denver, Colorado in pursuit of a better future. One day Teo becomes disabled and Emilio takes over the mail route and with great imagination, he changes the letters to happy and optimistic stories. Within days, the village is transformed. The elders, once hopeless, lonely and sad, are now happy and enthusiastic, enjoying the "supposed" success their loved ones write from the United States. But the enjoyment is short lived, as they realize that all the wonderful stories are the same, a product of Emilio's imagination. During this same period, Emilio meets a young girl named Elena and ...

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Plot Keywords:

letter | mexico | hill | immigration | dream

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, violence, language and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

9 March 2012 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Letters to Elena

Filming Locations:

Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,711 (USA) (8 June 2012)

Gross:

$7,711 (USA) (8 June 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cartas a Elena, Promedios

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mexican newspaper "La Reforma" published an article about the film on April 18 2009, under the section "Gente" (People). The film's executive producer and actor Jaime Jiménez Pons was interviewed about the film.

User Reviews

Easily one of the best films Mexico has produced

I watched this film at the Newport Beach Film Festival and wasn't sure what to expect. I was blown away by it. This gloriously photographed film tells the story of Emilio, a young boy who becomes the mailman of the town, in a time in which there are no phones or emails so the only way for people to communicate with their loved ones abroad is through letters. The film truly manages to capture the connection between parents and children and the magic feeling in receiving a letter. The music is beautifully composed and carries well with the pace of the story. With a remarkable cast Cartas a Elena is easily one of the best films Mexico has produced. I am pretty well sure this film will be recognized as something downright extraordinary.