Customer Reviews

El Norte

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The value of this film by director Gregory Nava does not diminish with time. I have shown it to audiences several times, and I continue to recommend it. It is not entertainment; rather it can give the engaged viewer an important educational experience about the reality of life for many Indigenous people who are forced to flee their homelands. It portrays the life of an Mayan brother and sister who are forced to leave Guatemala, their homeland, in search of survival in "El Norte." But they discover that the U.S.-Mexico border is a virtual war zone. The film ends in the tragedy that represents the reality of life for many Native people, whose status as "illegal aliens" is less than the humanity that they deserve.

This was many people's introduction to the great director, Gregory Nava. "El Norte" is an important film on so many levels. It examines the immigrant experience, and it also takes a critical, uncensored look at the grim, gritty reality of many who come to the United States, seeking a better life after living in desolate circumstances back home in their native countries.

The refugee brother and sister from Guatemala, portrayed in this film, are an intensely beautiful study of a two young people seeking a better life, leaving their trapped existence, risking life and limb to get here, just to find that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Ultimately, their story ends in tragedy, but it also leaves us with powerful images of two people who took a chance in a new culture, guided by hope and courage. I highly reccomend this film! However, I don't think very young audiences should see it. There are some very intense images in this story.....Beautifully done.

This film is a masterpiece. The characters are portrayed with great sincerity, the cinematography is masterful, the story very compelling, and the music appropriate and inspired.

There is a lot to think about in this film, not just the obvious aspect of immigration. Include also family relationships, new encounters and cultures, and expectations and emotions on a roller-coaster.

I highly recommend this film.

This is a classic American film which I have been using in my high school and college English and Spanish classes for twenty years. Although it is an 80's film, the content and the themes are as timely today as they were 20 years ago. Although the film is mostly in English, Spanish and Quiche (one of the major indian languages spoken in Guatemala) are also used adeptly in the film. This is probably the best film ever made about the immigrant experience in America. It puts the viewer in the place of the illegal immigrant and allows her/him to experience some of the same emotions as the characters, while they struggle to survive in very difficult circumstances. This is an important film, both from a historical and from a sociological perspective, and I highly recommend it for use in the classroom.

I have just watched this movie (Well, I did not see the ending but most of it), and enjoyed seeing from the Immigrant point of view what it MAY be like to come to the US. However, it should be noted that the movie is rated R for excessive uses of the "F" word, and other dirty language. Also, sub titles were difficult to read at times since they would blend in with white backgrounds. The movie did not go into great detail about why the Guatamalen siblings were moving north.
The movie may help you to see the struggles some immigrants face when they are in truly trying situations. But isn't there some way to do so with less language????