The Humanities Film Series Presents

EL NORTE

Friday, March 15

6:30-9 PM

ETC Lecture Hall

Of El Norte, a 1983 film directed by Gregory Nava, Roger Ebert said “From the very first moments…, we know that we are in the hands of a great movie. It tells a simple story in such a romantic and poetic way that we are touched, deeply and honestly, and we know we will remember the film for a long time. The movie tells the story of two young Guatemalans, a brother and sister named Rosa and Enrique, and of their long trek up through Mexico to el Norte — the United States. Their journey begins in a small village and ends in Los Angeles, and their dream is the American Dream. But El Norte takes place in the present, when we who are already Americans are not so eager for others to share our dream. Enrique and Rosa are not brave immigrants who could have been our forefathers, but two young people alive now, who look through the tattered pages of an old Good Housekeeping for their images of America.”

Even today, El Norte  captures the issues of the U.S. immigration debate, despite being filmed 30 years ago. The film was the first independent movie to be honored with an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay and has been selected for inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry for its cultural, historical and aesthetic significance.