Heli

Interesting film, but very bloody and hard to watch at times. The commentary on the Mexican military and their complicity in the violence is quite poignant.

This is a strong film about how innocent lives--law-abiding citizens--in Mexico are arbitrarily absorbed into the narco-violence currently stretching throughout Mexico. The film was produced and directed independently but with some funding from the Mexican cinematic institutions. The film follows Heli, a young 19 year old law-abiding citizen who works in a manufacturing plant (maquiladora) in a nearby city. He lives in a small town with his wife, a son, his younger teenage sister (middle-school) and his father who also works at the plant. Through no fault of his own his entire family is absorbed into the corrupted violence of the Mexican marines (a government institution) and hence narco-violence. Heli is forced to seek justice albeit cautiously. The entire film keeps the sociolinguistics of a low-income, low-educated, and rural family real, as well as the struggles of low-opportunity socioeconomics realistic. This film won Best Director at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival--the award was awarded by Steven Spielberg. An excellent film worth watching and analyzing.

This DVD does not have any subtitle options, so unless you are a fluent Spanish speaker there is no way to watch this. Which is a bummer because I was really hoping to see it! Oh well.

Great movie

not in English and no subtitles, looks like it would have been a good movie. O well.

Wonderful visual storytelling here. Very provocative film.

I personally didn't like this movie, it was very slow and boring

This is a strong film about how innocent lives in Mexico are arbitrarily absorbed into the narco-violence currently stretching throughout Mexico.Muy bien realizada, la pelicula es realmente cruda.

A truly gritty, graphic and shocking movie which I suppose gives us just a glimpse into the horrors inflicted on society by the Mexican drug cartels. This film doesn't leave you with a sense of longing to see what else happens which seems to be intentional. I think it accurately paints the picture of how innocent lives and families are torn apart by the actions of the drug monsters. Disney this ain't.

A brutal, shocking but also brilliantly made film. Its depiction of police corruption and how drugs have affected an entire nation, especially the poor, cannot be ignored. It is a brave project by the film makers who should be commended.

Actually does show a bit about things that DO happen in this corrupt, drug gang-infested country. The torture scene in the house is grim but part of daily life if you fall foul of these gangs.

Difficult to watch, but really good comment and insightful view on the underbelly of Mexican drug problems.

Possibly the least life affirming film you are ever likely to see. Devoid of hope and horribly but necessarily violent.