A beautiful young Honduran woman, braving the gauntlet of a trans-Central-American train journey with the hope of reaching relatives in the U.S., crosses paths with Casper, a teenaged Mexican deserter from the infamous Mara Salvatrucha gang, in Sin Nombre—"the thrilling and beautifully crafted debut feature of 31-year-old Californian Cary Joji Fukunaga and the winner of top directing and cinematography awards at Sundance earlier this year. Rooted in the filmmaker's first-hand research into the experiences of immigrants and gang members living in Chiapas, Sin Nombre (which translates as "nameless") was shot in real locations, stars Mexican and Central American actors (no U.S. celebrity "immigrants"), and is sprinkled with eye-catching production design details and bits of business that give it an authentic feel...Fukunaga's depiction of the harsh long trek and indignities experienced by Central American immigrants passing through Mexico is revelatory. But it's Sin Nombre's gangster's story that lingers, thanks in large part to [Edgar] Flores, whose emotional, dynamic performance makes you feel the breadth and complexity of Casper's entire life, not just the momentum of his final ride." (Toronto Globe and Mail) In Spanish with English subtitles. more at filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/sin_nombre 35mm Cinemascope
2009, color, 1 hour 36 minutes, USA