SXSW Review: ‘Sin Nombre’

I have been kicking myself since Sundance for missing this movie and I finally got the chance to see it yesterday during SXSW Film Festival 2009 and what I was in store for was more than I could have ever imagined.

The story follows El Casper, a Mexican teenager who is living life the only way he knows how which means running the streets with a gang know as Mara Salvatrucha. Although not fully living the lifestyle, and very obviously uncomfortable with the inner workings of the gang he knows that this is how he survives the chaotic lifestyle of a street kid.

You also meet Sayra who is a Honduran teenager who recently reunited with her father and uncle to travel across the Mexican border en route to the New Jersey from which her father had been deported and removed from his wife/children in the states. The only way they have out is by train hopping to get across Mexico and eventually into the US, all the while escaping border patrol and the stronghold gangs that keep them from uprising.

El Casper recruits a very young 12 year old named Smiley, whom he looks to mentor as if you can teach the ways of a gang member. After being caught in 2 lies to their gang leader involving his girlfriend Martha Marlene, Lil’ Mago decides to take El Casper and Smiley on a trip to test their real commitment to the gang. This involves going to the train tracks and holding up the border hoppers at gunpoint to steal what very little money they have. When they come upon Sayra’s family, El Capser makes a very bold decision that changes everything he has come to know.

First time writer/director Cary Fukunaga created one of the most powerful, gritty and moving pieces of cinema in recent years. ‘Sin Nombre’, although subtitled, will have you on the edge of your seat for the entire movie. Never has anyone tackled this subject with the same execution and brilliance that Cary shows us with the movie. Being his first movie/script its pretty scary to think this guy can get do any better than what he already has.

Focus Features has picked this up and we will see it start hitting theaters March 20th. If this is anywhere near you, do yourself a favor and go see it.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5