Search - De Nadie on DVD

Sensitive Humanism

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 10/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""De Nadie"

Sensitive Humanism

Amos Lassen

"De Nadie" (Laguna Productions) is an amazing film and it impresses beyond the wildest imagination. It looks at reality from the inside and makes you wonder if the human race actually exists.
Immigration is such an important topic nowadays and seems to be the major news story behind the upcoming presidential election. As Americans, we only get one side of the story and that is the American side. We hear and we read about those deported all of the time but they are nameless and faceless people. They are not a part of us and we tend not to care about them. "De Nadie" gives them both faces and names. In reality we are all immigrants living in a nation of immigrants--we have all come to America from somewhere else--at least some part of our family did but we have chosen not to remember that. The film shows us what we have not seen and chosen not to remember nor talk about. We see that coming to America is no simple journey and it is not just about a border crossing. To learn about immigration we must venture to the source and that is in the home country of those who come here. The film looks at Mexico as the home country and takes us along the road to the United States. As we travel we forget what it is to be human. After all we live in America, the land of plenty and opportunity. Not only do we feel that the country is ours but we close the door to others and at the same time, ignore the real issue of poverty. As Americans we should be ashamed because we know that our continent is more than just one country. We hate instead of helping and by doing so, we lose our sense of humanity.
I do not think many of us truly understand the plight of Central Americans who make their way through Mexico and it is painfully shown here. These people are forced into making great sacrifices just so they can live better lives and provide for their families. As the son of American immigrants who came here from Russia, I have been privy to may stories but to actually see the struggle makes everything I have ever heard become real. Isn't life really about wanting to do better? If so, why does anyone have the right to squash that desire? The entire aspect of immigration to America from Mexico has caused great debate but we have not been aware of the route that Central Americans have had to take to simply get closer to their goal of immigration to the United States.
By looking at the stories of several immigrants. The film explores the many challenges that they face---everything from transportation and health issues to downright government corruption and the break up of families. There are times that I felt, while watching the film, that I had seen too much and did not want to see anymore but then the movie brings forth compassion as if it is a sudden ray of hope. So often we forget about the human side of immigration and look at it as only an issue. "De Nadie" puts a face on immigration and makes us look at it in a completely different way--the way we should view it.
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Fantastic eye-opening documentary (and awesome soundtrack)

ESL | Alexandria, VA | 01/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This shocking documentary depicts the difficult journey and struggle of immigrants trying to make it to the US through Mexico and Central America. It provides troubling insight into the abuses suffered at the hands of Mexican authorities. No surprise it won at the Sundance Film Festival.

For music lovers, the incredible soundtrack alone is worth the purchase."

You'll never complain about your life again.

J. Clougherty | Oklahoma! | 02/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This proves to be one of the saddest stories you will ever see. The fact that people live like this, going through the hardships these people go through, carrying on purely through the belief that they will make it to America, is heart-breaking. The people featured in this film are some of the bravest I have ever seen. This documentary is a must-see."

Heartbreaking and poignant

F. Barragan | Bogotá,Colombia | 01/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I collect documentary films - I now own over four hundred- and very few of them have touched me like this one. It is incredibly heartbreaking but it will put your life in perspective. Although the movie has some minor technical flaws, the stories told here are worth every minute of your time and every penny."