​FILMS

cartel land

Cartel Land has landed...with a Best Documentary Feature nomination.

2016 movie review 10:

Cartel Land: (Documentary): 75 out of 100: It's not always easy to see films that are Oscar nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category so I was thrilled to discover that this was screening at a nearby cinema. Drugs are the scourge of society so this is an important film to document the struggles that some people endure to rid their communities of this evil. The way it has been told is informative but not always powerful which is a shame as the subject matter is suited to making us aware of the harm that drugs can inflict on society. There are several powerful scenes however that will alarm and anger you.

 

There are three groups that are featured in this documentary. The first group is the drug traffickers who explain their reasons for selling drugs. The second group details the vigilantes in Arizona on the US/Mexican border who try to prevent the Mexican traffickers from entering the US. Tim "Nailer" Foley, an American veteran, heads this group known as the Arizona Border Recon. The third group called Autodefensas is in the Mexican state of Michoacán and led by physician José Manuel Mireles. They are also up against the Mexican government which considers them a vigilante group who are hellbent on destroying the Knights Templar drug cartel.

 

Matthew Heineman deserves credit for providing moviegoers unprecedented access to the hotspots of the drug-ridden areas. He wears four hats: director, producer, cinematographer and editor. Some of the images he produces are shocking including dead bodies on the streets. The powerful aspect of this documentary is derived from these images. There are also several tense situations between the participants, making you nervous about the harm that could occur. His occasional shaky camera footage is used suitably and frantically for the pursuits.

 

Two out of the three groups are well-detailed. The viewer gets to know the leaders of the vigilante groups. Unfortunately there aren't as many interviews with the drug traffickers but that might have something to do with difficulty of access. It does make you wonder if any of the scenes were staged because the lives of the filmmakers would have been at risk.

 

Cartel Land is recommended and riveting viewing for the most part. It's definitely not what you would call an entertaining documentary but rather an informative look at how the drug trade is tackled in one region of Mexico. One viewing is enough to discover that the drug trade is running rampant in Mexico.

 

Featuring José Manuel 'El Doctor' Mireles

(99 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, violence, adult themes and drug use
Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC5bpPfltOI (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Wednesday 20th January, 2016)

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review