El Norte backdrop

El Norte

1983·Adventure·2h 21m
7.2
Brother and sister Enrique and Rosa flee persecution at home in Guatemala and journey north, through Mexico and on to the United States, with the dream of starting a new life.
Directed by Gregory Nava
immigrant
mexico
indigenous
immigration
illegal immigration
american dream
usa–mexico border
border crossing
fugitive
undocumented immigrant
guatemala
underground tunnel
rat
illegal border crossing
guatemalan civil war
brother sister relationship
undocumented worker
maya

Cast

Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez
Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez
Rosa
David Villalpando
David Villalpando
Enrique
Ernesto Gómez Cruz
Ernesto Gómez Cruz
Arturo
Lupe Ontiveros
Lupe Ontiveros
Nacha
Trinidad Silva
Trinidad Silva
Monte
Mike Gomez
Mike Gomez
Informer
Enrique Castillo
Enrique Castillo
Jorge
Tony Plana
Tony Plana
Carlos the Bus Boy
Sheryl Bernstein
Sheryl Bernstein
Karen the Hostess
Bo Kane
Bo Kane
Lab Technician
George O'Hanlon, Jr.
George O'Hanlon, Jr.
Doctor Murphy
Larry Cedar
Larry Cedar
Bruce the Waiter

Crew

Gregory Nava
Gregory Nava
Director
Gregory Nava
Gregory Nava
Screenplay
James Glennon
James Glennon
Director of Photography
David Wasco
David Wasco
Set Designer
David Wasco
David Wasco
Set Dresser
Gregory Nava
Gregory Nava
Story
Bob Ozman
Bob Ozman
Stunt Coordinator

Popular Reviews

58 reviews
val
val
El Norte
was so stubborn on watching this film but i am so glad i did with my mommy tonight. i’m pretty sure the last half of this film made me so emotional because i heard my mommy sniffling next to me. but this film is so so visually beautiful, the writing is amazing, and it has such a big meaningful story of how the american dream is seen. while watching this film i couldn’t help but think back to all the stories my mom used to tell me and my siblings about crossing the border and how it was hard beginning to live in the u.s.. this deserves so much recognition and my heart is so full and i’m too emotional for this rn
was so stubborn on watching this film but i am so glad i did with my mommy tonight. i’m pretty sure the last half of this film made me so emotional because i heard my mommy sniffling next to me. but this film is so so visually beautiful, the writing is amazing, and it has such a big meaningful story of how the american dream is seen. while watching this film i couldn’t help but think back to all the stories my mom used to tell me and my siblings about crossing the border and how it was hard beginning to live in the u.s.. this deserves so much recognition and my heart is so full and i’m too emotional for this rn
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brielle delaporte
brielle delaporte
El Norte
Siblings or dating final boss
Siblings or dating final boss
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Rowkey
Rowkey
El Norte
despite its numerous flaws through its runtime “el Norte” gets nothing but love from me seeing as it shows the “American dream” through the eyes of Guatemalan immigrants fleeing their country for a better life, an unfortunately timeless story.
despite its numerous flaws through its runtime “el Norte” gets nothing but love from me seeing as it shows the “American dream” through the eyes of Guatemalan immigrants fleeing their country for a better life, an unfortunately timeless story.
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Jacob Dickens
Jacob Dickens
El Norte
El Norte is a film of innocence and its slow, methodical destruction by forces on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border. Nava paints in some ways THE portrait of immigration by focusing on a pair of young Guatemalans who flee their home village and seek asylum in the United States. The first half of the film tracks that journey including through untrustworthy characters and the actual crossing which is rather terrifying to watch. Once they make it up north, things aren't much better even if at first their dreams of economic prosperity seem attainable. All their English lessons and promotions can't stop an encroaching immigration authority or illness or the threat of separation. As Enrique's father says, in what amounts to the film's thesis statement, "To the rich, the peasant is just a pair of strong arms." And yet, El Norte manages to avoid being overly dour through a pair of passionate performances at its center and a few touches of magical realism that help alleviate some of the film's darker moments. Still, at times, El Norte trends too much into melodramatics for my taste but it's hard to argue with the craft on display here and the strong writing that reflects the need for citizens to find safety and community even if it means losing everything.
El Norte is a film of innocence and its slow, methodical destruction by forces on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border. Nava paints in some ways THE portrait of immigration by focusing on a pair of young Guatemalans who flee their home village and seek asylum in the United States. The first half of the film tracks that journey including through untrustworthy characters and the actual crossing which is rather terrifying to watch. Once they make it up north, things aren't much better even if at first their dreams of economic prosperity seem attainable. All their English lessons and promotions can't stop an encroaching immigration authority or illness or the threat of separation. As Enrique's father says, in what amounts to the film's thesis statement, "To the rich, the peasant is just a pair of strong arms." And yet, El Norte manages to avoid being overly dour through a pair of passionate performances at its center and a few touches of magical realism that help alleviate some of the film's darker moments. Still, at times, El Norte trends too much into melodramatics for my taste but it's hard to argue with the craft on display here and the strong writing that reflects the need for citizens to find safety and community even if it means losing everything.
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Serena
Serena
El Norte
Nacha reminded me of my moms aunt which was cool
Nacha reminded me of my moms aunt which was cool
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