El Norte

Genre: social drama

With: David Villalpando (Enrique Xuncax), Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez (Rosa or Rosita, his sister), Ernesto Gómez Cruz (Arturo, their father), Alicia del Lago (Lupe, their mother), Stella Quan (Josefita), Abel Franco (Raimundo), Trinidad Silva (Monte), Lupe Ontiveros (Nacha), Tony Plana (Carlos), Enrique Castillo (Jorge), Jo Marie Ward (Helen Rogers), Diane Civita (Alice Harper)

Director: Gregory Nava

Screenplay: Gregory Nava (story); Anna Thomas (writer)

Release: 1983

Studio: American Playhouse, Channel Four Films, Independent Productions, Island Alive, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.5/10





‟The train only comes by once and this is it for you.”





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Story-line: when their father, a labourer, is targeted by the military because of his stand against poverty and exploitation, Enrique and Rosita flee Guatemala and head north to seek a better life in the United States.

Pluses: excellent performances by David Villalpando, Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez, Lupe Ontiveros and a very credible cast, a mature, realistic and touching screenplay, fine direction and production values, beautiful cinematography by James Glennon, lovely music (Los Folkloristas) and appropriate costumes (designed by Hilary Wright).

Minuses: none I can think of.

Comments: with its sympathetic characters and sincere story about courage in spite of life’s brutality, EL NORTE is one of cinema’s smaller wonders and a very important social statement about refugees. In every aspect of their adventures, Enrique and Rosita are driven by the fear of repression, the pursuit of happiness and their will to survive. Gregory Nava’s film stands as a topical and worthy addition to any movie buff’s list of treasurable movies.





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