After their family is killed in a government massacre, siblings Enrique and Rosa flee Guatemala and embark on a perilous journey to "El Norte": the United States.After their family is killed in a government massacre, siblings Enrique and Rosa flee Guatemala and embark on a perilous journey to "El Norte": the United States.After their family is killed in a government massacre, siblings Enrique and Rosa flee Guatemala and embark on a perilous journey to "El Norte": the United States.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 2 nominations total
- Rosa
- (as Zaide Silvia Gutierrez)
- Arturo
- (as Ernesto Gomez Cruz)
- Informer
- (as Mike Gomez Giron)
- Ramon
- (as Rodolfo Alexandre)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe production of El Norte (1983) encountered major problems with Mexican police while shooting on location in Tijuana. According to director Gregory Nava: "One day, men with machine guns took over the set. I had guns pointed at my head. We were forced to shut down production, bribe our way out of the country, fight to get our costumes back, and start shooting again in California." Nava also recalled that Mexican police kidnapped the film's accountant and held him for ransom, and that his own parents had to pose as tourists to smuggle rolls of exposed film across the U.S. border. Back in California, Nava and his crew had to re-create a movie set of the Mexican shanty town where Rosa and Enrique stay before crossing the border.
- GoofsWhen Enrique sees that Rosa has died, for a couple seconds we still see her breathing.
- Quotes
Enrique's friend: You have to learn to talk like a Mexican. Tell me it's a hot day.
Enrique Xuncax: It's a hot day.
Enrique's friend: No! You won't make it two miles past the border. "It's a fucking hot day." Mexicans are always saying fuck. Fuck this, fuck that. Now try it again.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)
- SoundtracksRaiz Viva
Written by Jose Avila
Siblings Arturo and Rosa flee their mountain village after their father is killed and trek across Mexico with dreams of living in the United States -- "El Norte." The story is sprinkled with humor, but the overall theme is tragedy. The political overtones are forceful as well; the course of one's life depends more on where one was born than how resourceful one is. This idea is explored in the contrast between the situations faced by the refugees and those of Americans they encounter. Arturo's struggle to find work is perilous, and demands huge sacrifices.
Thankfully, the movie doesn't portray its subject simplistically. There are several sympathetic American characters and some unsympathetic non-Americans. However, the film is ultimately critical of America, simply because Americans have so much and give so little of it to their closest neighbours. More than that, Americans are woefully unaware of the circumstances that many of those living within their country face. El Norte is an important film because it has the ability to change this.
- Alan One
- Oct 8, 1999
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- The North
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $27,920
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $27,920
- Sep 15, 2019
- Gross worldwide
- $27,920