El Norte (1983)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(2,099 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 Norte)… 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

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Gregory Nava
Written By: Gregory Nava, Anna Thomas
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 27, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Jan 20, 2009
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Christopher Long, Movie Metropolis
Good intentions arent enough to compensate for bad editing, acting and writing.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a deeply moving film that is simultaneously entrancing, horrifying, sad, and profoundly humane
Matt Noller, Slant Magazine
Not much of a movie, but Criterion makes it gleam.
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.
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]
Jay Antani, Filmcritic.com
the definitive portrait of the experience of undocumented Latin-American workers in the United States
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The subject of illegal immigration is honorable and relevant, but the film also shows Nava's weaknesses as a filmmaker, specifically his penchant for overwrought narratives and melodramatic (borderline soap opera) style.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Charts the harsh odyssey of two Guatemalan Indians as they struggle to make a new life for themselves in America as illegal immigrants

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

I'm sort of embarrassed that I like this so much, especially the part when it devolves into a horror story because of THE MICE OH MY GOD THE MICE, but I don't know - it's also kind of charming in its own simple way.
Mark H

Brother and sister from Guatemala decide to seek refuge in the U.S. That's the first part. The second half details their life in that magical city in "the north" called Los Angeles. The last shot is heartbreaking. Well plotted film deservedly won an Oscar nomination… More
Brother and sister from Guatemala decide to seek refuge in the U.S. That's the first part. The second half details their life in that magical city in "the north" called Los Angeles. The last shot is heartbreaking. Well plotted film deservedly won an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.