Oakland-native, writer/director Cary Fukunaga spent two years riding trains in Central America and interviewing gang members to bring authenticity to his feature film debut. And what an impression this debut makes. Thrilling and even grand at times, this look at both immigration and gang violence brings an emotional element to the human toll of both.
Sayra (Paulina Gaitan, TRADE) is headed from Honduras to New Jersey with her father and uncle. Her father Horacio (Gerardo Taracena, APOCALYPTO) was recently deported from the U.S. and is desperate to get back to his wife and other children. They ride atop freight trains all the way to Mexico. The dangerous journey includes dodging immigration officers, enduring the elements and evading thieves.
Willy (Edgar Flores) is a member of the notorious Latin gang MS13. His gang name is El Casper. His leader is Lil Mago (Tenoch Huerta), intimidating with MS tattooed across his entire face. He's brutal, forcing a 12-year-old recruit El Smiley (Kristian Ferrer) to shoot a captured rival gang member. Also part of his initiation is being beaten by fellow members for 13 seconds. Lil Mago's right-hand man El Sol (Luis Fernando Pena, SLEEP DEALER) has it in for Casper, because they believe he's keeping secrets from them. They're not paranoid, because he is hiding his girlfriend Martha Marlene (Diana Garcia, THE AIR I BREATHE) from the realities of the harsh gang world.
These two stories collide together is violent ways. Sayra will come to view Casper as her protector as he flees from the gang that is set to kill him. With members in cities around North America, Casper has few places to run, because MS members look out for each other, but are relentless when crossed. Sayra's developing attraction to Casper frightens her father. However, having a streetwise thug as an ally can be beneficial.
Sayra is such an innocent, wanting simply to join the rest of her family in America, where her father can find enough work to support them. The life of death has broken Willy's soul. He only smiles when with Martha. He doesn't want to involve Sayra in his troubles. In his relationship with both young women, he is driven to protect them.
With cinematographer Adriano Goldman, Fukunaga creates evocative imagery. There is something desperate about dozens of immigrants clamoring in dark and misty train yards to get their spot on top of one of the cars. What does it say about illegal immigration the images of freight cars filled with people riding across country after country?
SIN NOMBRE (translated Without a Name) doesn't make judgments. It hints at the complexity of the illegal immigration issue. It shows what people will endure to come to the U.S. They risk their lives for the opportunities many U.S. citizens take for granted. If they stay in their countries of origin, there's always the gangs.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
