Sin Nombre

The first film in this series, focusing on the theme of "The Journey" is Sin Nombre (2009) directed by Cary Joji Fukunada. The film follows Sayra, a young woman, who reconnects with her father who has been deported from the US. Along with Sayra's brother and uncle, they embark on a hazardous journey to the US. In Mexico, they encounter Willie who is fleeing from his gang.

While most of the audience at our screening liked this film, a few were disturbed by the violence. Indeed, the murders depicted in the film are brutal, but no more so than those in Sightseers, which we screened earlier this year without a similar reaction. So why the difference? To my mind, the violence in Sightseers is more disturbing because the murders are depicted comically. But perhaps the distancing effect of a comedy protects the audience which can find a release in laughter. In Sin Nombre, no one can laugh. What is disturbing is not the violence per se, but that the violence is carried out in large part by children (Smiley and Willie) and against characters we care for (Willie's girlfriend and, eventually, Willie himself.)

In addition, the use of a hand-held camera gives the film a documentary feel. Often, we are peering through windows, in effect spying on the lives of the characters. Being put in the position of a voyeur is uncomfortable. And being put in the position of witness to murder and rape, and being helpless to do anything about it, is unbearable. But that's the point. These characters are all helpless. That Sayra is the only one to reach her goal may be a testament to her grit and determination, but she is no more determined than her father or Willie or the nameless others on the train with them. The difference is that she is lucky.

Several audience members remarked that the characters were all running away from something -- gang violence, in particular -- rather than towards a goal. But I do think that the characters all share a common goals. They all are seeking to belong to a family, even if that family is a vicious gang or, in Sayra's case, a second-hand family (her father's second wife and their children) that she has never met. The tragedy of Willie is that he loses every family connection or potential connection -- his girlfriend, his gang, Sayra.

While the film is bleak, I find the ending to be hopeful. Sayra reaches Texas and is welcomed by her step-mother to come to New Jersey. Her brother begins the journey from Honduras again, undeterred by his previous failure.

Feel free to add your own comments or observations.