[Ruby Hornet will be attending the 49th Chicago International Film Festival from 10/10 – 10/24. Be sure to follow along as we bring you coverage from the longest-running competitive international film festival in the country. You can find all of our coverage from this year’s CIFF here.]
La Jaula de Oro
Director: Diego Quemada-Diez
Country: Mexico
CIFF Screenings: October 16, 2013 (8:00pm), October 17, 2013 (6:00pm), October 22, 2013 (1:15pm)
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To some, the United States represents hope for a prosperous future. The path some have to take to achieve that future can be dangerous and oftentimes illegal; however, the risks far exceed the alternative. In director Diego Quemada-Diez’ La Jaula de Oro, three Guatemalen teenagers embark on their own journey to to fulfill the promises “the North” has to offer. After befriending a Tzotzil Indian along the way, they run into various problems that threaten to deter their journey. La Jaula de Oro portrays the hardships facing immigrants on their paths for a better life.
La Jaula de Oro doesn’t try to politicize the plot or tell a feel-good story about illegal immigration. Instead, Quemada-Diez depicts the harsh realities facing those attempting to enter the US. The ending is bittersweet, but real… unfortunate as it is. The purpose of foreign films and foreign film festivals like the Chicago International Film Festival is to show a piece of life that aren’t normally seen by American movie audiences. There have been amazing immigration films in the past (Sin Nombre being one of the better films of the past few years) that have been glamorized and stylized. La Jaula de Oro runs counter to that with a gritty depiction of this journey, both aesthetically and narratively that doesn’t add a layer of Hollywood sheen to undercut the film’s message.
Score: 
7 out of 10