El traspatio (2009)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Carlos Carrera

Writer:

Sabina Berman (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 February 2009 (Mexico)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot Keywords:

U.S. Mexico Border | Juarez Mexico | Female Cop | Mexican Border | Femicide

Cast

Ana de la Reguera	...	Blanca
Joaquín Cosio	...	Peralta
Alejandro Calva	...	Comandante
Jimmy Smits	...	Mickey Santos
Amorita Rasgado	...	Márgara
Enoc Leaño	...	Gobernador
Sayed Badreya	...	El Sultán
Adriana Paz	...	Hilda
Lisa Owen	...	Silvia
Juan Carlos Barreto	...	Alvarez
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paloma Arredondo	...	Elvia

Also Known As:

Backyard (International: English title)

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish | Tzotzil | English

Color:

Color

Company:

Argos

Trivia:

A newspaper from Torreón, México reported that the cast and crew were followed, and to some degree bullied, by people while shooting on location in Ciudad Juárez, México. They even reported the robbery of equipment.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scenes located in Juarez Avenue, it can be seen "transborde" buses and a big led screen with publicity. Those were activated in late 2006. (The story occurs on 1996)

Open wound until when...?

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The problem of the death women is the hydra for any authority of Cd.Juárez, a common place for the intellectuals and artists to denunciate and a complete state of "under siege" for the society who see the problem unsolved since so many time. With that background, this is maybe the first Mexican film to approach this serious matter since the documentary "Señorita Extraviada" back in 2001. And definitely, El Traspatio goes in a more direct direction than Bordertown(2006) with J-Lo and Banderas having persecutions in Hollywood style, or that forced (and failed because it was superficial) mention in Casi Divas (2008). There are many talented people in this one: Reknown writer Sabina Berman takes some stories (of course it's not possible to hold the whole matter in one film) and builds the principal frame. Skilled director Carlos Carrera (from that Alfonso Cuarón/González Iñarritu generation) takes a crew of great actors (so many great performances!) and presents us the open wound. It's a great change for the Carrera style, going now into city stories more than rural ones. Look for the cinematography, is really outstanding. The story goes to the nearly stages (no one can tell the beginning) of the problem with a net of characters and stories that connect each other, transporting the audience to Cd. Juárez and giving many topics to think about. If you are interested in social intelligent cinema, don't miss this one.