El Norte (1983)
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80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(2,181 ratings)
El Norte is a realistic picture of both the Guatemalan government's oppression of the Quiche Indians and the hard life of illegal immigrants in the United States. After the Guatemalan army destroys their village of San Pedro, two teenage Quiche Mayan Indian siblings journey north (hence El… More El Norte is a realistic picture of both the Guatemalan government's oppression of the Quiche Indians and the hard life of illegal immigrants in the United States. After the Guatemalan army destroys their village of San Pedro, two teenage Quiche Mayan Indian siblings journey north (hence El Norte) through Mexico to the United States to start a new life. The film opens with the destruction of the village and the peasants' pointless appeals to the authorities for justice. Realizing that the government is seizing their land, Enrique and Rosa make the difficult decision to leave their people behind. As they journey through Mexico, the siblings encounter a number of helpful individuals who direct them towards the U.S./Mexican border. There they find a "coyote" (a professional human smuggler) and make the frightening run across border. Once across, Enrique and Rosa are introduced to the impossible realities of life as an illegal immigrant in Los Angeles. Living in constant fear of deportation, they struggle to survive as they are exploited by a series of employers. Eventually, their luck takes a turn for the better when the manager of their motel offers Enrique a job. ~ Brian Whitener, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gregory Nava
- Written By
- Gregory Nava, Anna Thomas
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 27, 1984 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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Christopher Long, Movie Metropolis
Good intentions arent enough to compensate for bad editing, acting and writing.
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James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a deeply moving film that is simultaneously entrancing, horrifying, sad, and profoundly humane
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Matt Noller, Slant Magazine
Not much of a movie, but Criterion makes it gleam.
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Matt Noller, Slant Magazine
In El Norte's defense, it does not, unlike those contemporary films, filter its view of an ethnic subculture through the eyes of a white protagonist.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
On the surface El Norte is the essence of simplicity. But in 1983, the simple story was both news to many and history to many others finally seeing their story depicted on screen on their terms. [Blu-ray]
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez
as Rosa Xuncax
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David Villalpando
as Enrique Xuncax
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Ernesto Gomez Cruz
as Arturo Xuncax
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Alicia del Lago
as Lupe Xuncax
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Eraclio Zepeda
as Pedro
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Stella Quan
as Josefita
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Emilio del Haro
as Truck Driver
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Rodrigo Puebla
as Puma
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Trinidad Silva
as Monty
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Abel Franco
as Raimundo
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Mike Gomez
as Jaime
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Lupe Ontiveros
as Nacha
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Larry Cedar
as Bruce
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Sheryl Bernstein
as Karen
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Tony Plana
as Carlos
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Diane Civita
as Alice
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Jorge Moreno
as Man in Bus
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Rodolfo Aleiandre
as Ramon
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Enrique J. Castillo
as Jorge
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Ronald G. Joseph
as Joel
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John L. Martin
as Ed
