THE GOLDEN CAGE

Juan, Sarah – who’s dressed as a boy – and Samuel, all of them only 15 years old, take off from Guatemala to reach “El Norte”, i.e. the mythical USA, via Mexico. On the way there, they meet Chauk, an Indian of the same age, who hasn’t papers nor speaks Spanish. That the four of them are tough does not mean that they are fully aware of what they are proposing to do – and it is this naivete, and not immaturity, that ultimately allows them to make the journey and escape the traps along the way. Diego Quemada-Diez knows very well that his story has been told before, so he takes his time. He provides the children with the space they need, and gives his characters definite form and emotions. The film’s grainy images become the imprint of the dust on the children’s faces, the danger in front of them becomes tangible – and terrifying. It takes courage to make such a journey and Quemada-Diez establishes himself, with his debut, as fearless.