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IMDb > El Norte (1983)
El Norte
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El Norte (1983) -- Mayan Indian peasants flee north to the USA after their village is destroyed by the Guatemalan army

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   1,962 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 33% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Gregory Nava (story)
Anna Thomas (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The North on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 January 1984 (USA) more
Tagline:
The magical film that reveals the world between the dream and the reality
Plot:
Mayan Indian peasants, tired of being thought of as nothing more than "brazos fuertes" ("strong arms"... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination more
User Reviews:
Coming to America--the untold chapter more (36 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez ... Rosa Xuncax
David Villalpando ... Enrique Xuncax
Ernesto Gómez Cruz ... Arturo Xuncax
Lupe Ontiveros ... Nacha
Trinidad Silva ... Monte
Alicia del Lago ... Lupe Xuncax
Abel Franco ... Raimundo

Enrique Castillo ... Jorge
Tony Plana ... Carlos

Diane Cary ... Alice Harper (as Diane Civita)
Mike Gomez ... Jaime
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Sheryl Bernstein

Larry Cedar
Sergi Dagliana ... Olinto
Emilio Del Haro
Gregory Enton
Giuseppe Furia ... Requiem
Pado Hende ... Dilvo
Ronald G. Joseph (as Ron Joseph)
Bo Kane ... Doctor (as Bob Kane)
Christina Kokubo ... English teacher
John Martin
Jorge Moreno
George O'Hanlon Jr.
Rodrigo Puebla
Loraine Shields
Julie Silliman
Sabina Vannucchi ... Rosa
Jomarie Ward (as Jo Marie Ward)
Slavitza Yhuelo
Heraclio Zepeda ... Pedro
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The North (International: English title)
more
Runtime:
141 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1995. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The plane that taxis up to the airport building is a DC-10, but the plane seen lifting off towards Chicago is a 747. more
Quotes:
Jorge: Rosa... it doesn't matter! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Tierra Mestiza more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
15 out of 15 people found the following review useful.
Coming to America--the untold chapter, 11 April 2000
9/10
Author: filfy-2 from Pasadena, CA

Gregory Nava's drama, "El Norte," is hands-down the best film ever made about the Latin American immigrant experience in the US. It's also one of the best films of the 80's.

Wonderfully acted and expertly directed, this film will make you think twice about the "invisible" people who clean your house, watch your kids, make your food, garden your yard, wash your car, etc. This movie puts a face to those people and their day-to-day struggles here in this country. It's not always a pretty picture.

Although this film is fictional, at times it feels like a documentary. It's not a documentary however, because it's also quite funny and it contains elements of magical realism.

This film is a landmark of Latino filmmaking in the US. Watch it today!

Was the above review useful to you?
more (36 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for El Norte (1983)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
GIA: Poverty in relation to 'El Norte' bhoyt11
Crossing the border-who helps them?? redvespagirl
those two old ladies gman93189
spanish class dremfindr
dvd Directors cut?? elchicho25
Meaning of the final scene? ladynata
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