UK Premiere / Features – International

Showing @ Cameo 1 Fri 24 @ 19:45 & Sat 25 @ 17:45

Chris Weitz / USA / 2011 / 97 min / English and Spanish with English subtitles

Something we in Europe take for granted is our ability to live, work and travel unrestricted in any of the EU member states; essentially, our freedom. But for millions if not billions around the world the only hope of achieving a better life is to become one of many illegal immigrants, none more widely known than the plight of Mexicans looking for opportunities in the USA. Having moved to Los Angeles before the birth of his son who is now 14, single parent Carlos (Demian Bichir) is still living in the shadows without legalisation papers and under constant fear that his son will be drawn into the gang scene. So when the opportunity to start his own business comes along he grabs it with both hands, but soon learns just how hard life is when everyone around him is living out of sight of the law.

The contrast between rich and poor is painfully stark here, and at no point are the Mexican immigrants presented in any way other than sympathetically – even the gangs with their repulsive facial tattoos act as a reminder of the inverted and unobtainable American Dream. One thing this film doesn’t approach lightly is the treatment of illegal immigrants by the US government. Instantly thrown into jail before being swiftly deported, both the one who’s been caught and their legal-resident relatives are portrayed as being treated appallingly, with no indication of any humanity or common decency as families are discerningly torn apart. This is something that director Chris Weitz seems very keen to highlight, making this film quite overtly political.

Carlos’ ability to have an afternoon of fun and bonding with his son Luis (Jose Julian) despite the plot being at a height of its dramatic tension is a little rose-tinted for the stress that their situation would cause in real life. Indeed, Carlos is endlessly kind, understanding and patient in the face of deception and restriction, and his only fatal flaw is wanting the best for his son. This might be a bit two-dimensional for some, but combined with Bichir’s compelling performance and subtle script it makes for a heart-wrenching and engaging tale.