Movies About Crossing The Border

From Directors: Lucy Walker, Karen Harley, João Jardim, starring Star: Vik Muniz
Rated Not Rated

Waste Land is a 2010 documentary film directed by Lucy Walker, Karen Harley, and João Jardim. It follows photographer Vik Muniz as he travels to his native Brazil to work with recyclable and salvaged materials, creating transformative art with the help of local catadores, or waste-pickers. Through this work, Muniz and the catadores discover a newfound sense of self-worth, and the documentary serves as a record of this transformation. The film follows the lives of catadores who live and work in the world’s largest landfill in Jardim Gramacho, near Rio de Janeiro. The film shows how Muniz is able to help improve their lives by giving them a way to express themselves and be acknowledged for their work. Through Muniz’s art, the catadores’ lives are changed and their self-worth is improved. The film ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for transformation.

From Gregory Nava, starring Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez, David Villalpando, Ernesto Gómez Cruz, Alicia del Lago
Rated R

El Norte (1983) is a drama film directed by Gregory Nava, which tells the story of two indigenous Guatemalan teenagers, Enrique and Rosa, who flee the political and economic turmoil of Guatemala for the United States in search of a better life. After a traumatic journey through Mexico, they arrive in Los Angeles and are forced to find ways to survive in the unfamiliar terrain of their new home. As they struggle to adjust to life in a new country and adapt to a new culture, they must also grapple with the emotional and physical hardships of finding a place for themselves in America. Throughout their journey, the two must rely on their courage, strength, and resilience to create a better future for themselves and their family.

From Jim Sheridan, starring Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, Djimon Hounsou, Sarah Bolger
Rated PG-13

In America is a 2002 Irish-American drama film written and directed by Jim Sheridan. The film stars Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou, and Sarah Bolger as a family of Irish immigrants who move to New York City in pursuit of the American Dream. The family faces many hardships, including the death of their young daughter, as they struggle to adapt to their new life in the tough inner-city neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen. Through it all, they are able to find hope and joy in the love and support of those around them. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Achievement in Directing.

From Tom McCarthy, starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
Rated PG-13

The Visitor is a 2007 drama directed by Tom McCarthy and starring Richard Jenkins. The film follows Walter Vale, an elderly college professor who discovers a young couple, Tarek and Zainab, living illegally in his New York apartment. Through his interactions with the couple, Walter is inspired to take a more active interest in life, breaking out of his daily routine and developing a strong bond with the couple. As he learns more about their story and the struggles they face, Walter finds himself becoming increasingly involved in their situation, eventually taking on the role of an unlikely advocate. Through this experience, Walter finds a newfound appreciation for life and a deeper understanding of himself.

From Cary Joji Fukunaga, starring Paulina Gaitan, Marco Antonio Aguirre, Leonardo Alonso, Karla Cecilia Alvarado
Rated R

Sin Nombre is a 2009 Mexican-American crime drama directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. The film follows two separate stories that eventually intertwine: that of Sayra, a teenage Honduran girl seeking to reunite with her father in the United States, and that of Willy, a Mexican gang member trying to escape his criminal past. Sayra, played by newcomer Paulina Gaitan, is a young Honduran girl who is smuggled across Mexico in order to be reunited with her father in the United States. Along the way, Sayra meets Willy, a young Mexican gang member played by Edgar Flores, and the two develop an unlikely bond. Both are fleeing dangerous situations and are desperate to reach their destination. As they journey together, they must face the very real danger of criminal gangs, corrupt police, and the treacherous terrain of the Mexican border. The film provides an unflinching look at the harsh realities facing those who attempt to cross the Mexico-U.S. border. It is a thrilling and heart-wrenching story of courage, hope, and redemption.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal, Mohamed Akhzam
Rated R

Babel is a 2006 drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. It tells four intersecting stories about people from different countries and cultures who, unbeknownst to each other, are connected by a tragic incident. In Morocco, a young goat herder buys a rifle from a black-market dealer to shoot jackals, but the gun backfires and kills his brother, sparking a chain of events that involves two American tourists, a nanny traversing the U.S.-Mexico border with two children, and a Japanese teen dealing with the aftermath of a sexual encounter. The film touches on themes of isolation, cultural misunderstandings, and the fragility of relationships.

From John Sayles, starring Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, Stephen Mendillo, Stephen J. Lang
Rated R

From Joshua Marston, starring Catalina Sandino Moreno, Guilied Lopez, Orlando Tobón, Virginia Cristina Ariza
Rated R

From Tommy Lee Jones, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper, Dwight Yoakam, January Jones
Rated R

From Patricia Riggen, starring Eugenio Derbez, Kate del Castillo, Adrian Alonso, Maya Zapata
Rated PG-13

From Herbert J. Biberman, starring Juan Chacón, Rosaura Revueltas, Will Geer, David Bauer
Rated Not Rated

From Marco Kreuzpaintner, starring Kevin Kline, Kathleen Gati, Paulina Gaitan, Cesar Ramos
Rated R

From Mitchell Leisen, starring Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, Paulette Goddard, Victor Francen
Rated Passed

From Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, starring Algenis Perez Soto, Jose Rijo, Walki Cuevas, Santo Silvestre
Rated R

From Alfonso Arau, starring Marco Leonardi, Lumi Cavazos, Regina Torné, Mario Iván Martínez
Rated R

From Courtney Hunt, starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott, Michael O'Keefe
Rated R

From Mark Becker, starring Arturo Arias, Carmelo Muñiz Sanchez
Rated Not Rated

From Ken Loach, starring Pilar Padilla, Adrien Brody, Elpidia Carrillo, Jack McGee
Rated R

From Directors: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland, starring Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Chalo González, Jesus Castanos
Rated R

From Patricia Cardoso, starring America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, Ingrid Oliu, George Lopez
Rated PG-13

From Christopher Zalla, starring Jesús Ochoa, Armando Hernández, Jorge Adrián Espíndola, Paola Mendoza
Rated TV-MA

From Wayne Kramer, starring Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta, Jim Sturgess
Rated R

From Alejandro Springall, starring Dolores Heredia, Demián Bichir, Alberto Estrella, Pedro Altamirano
Rated R

From Directors: Ethan Maniquis, Robert Rodriguez, starring Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba
Rated R

From James L. Brooks, starring Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, Paz Vega, Cloris Leachman
Rated PG-13