SIN NOMBRE (2009) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Cary Joji Fukunaga

Written by - Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring - Paulina Gaitan, Marco Antonio Aguirre, Leonardo Alonso

"Among the many films made about the difficult situation in central America, where crime and poverty lead to the desperate decision of taking on the dangerous journey to the US boarder, SIN NOMBRE manages to stand out because of the creative and collected way with which it handles its parallel storylines. 

The story revolves around two characters, a young Mexican male involved against his moral wishes with a gang, and a young girl looking to flee her empoverished life with her family. When the first's gang decides to siege the train carrying immigrants and steal their possessions, he develops a moral conflict affected by a personally dramatic turn of events that leads him to commit a drastic deed which leads to the two's paths crossing. 

CARY FUKUNAGA's film is not sugar coated. It is violent and opts for a realistic viewpoint on its social examination. Primarily, however, it stays focused on its characters and their intentions. This is what allows the viewer to get so invested in the film. 

The clever storytelling is also full of genuine tension and a few unpredictable twists that add further intensity. For all the story's darkness, SIN NOMBRE also conceals a simple element of warmth that works in its favour and adds a humanity on an issue that can sometimes be exploited or dealt with an unrewardingly partonizing way."

Drama, Mexico/USA