Sonora: The Devil’s Highway
Sonora: The Devil’s Highway

Movie spotlight

Sonora: The Devil’s Highway

2019
Movie
95 min
Spanish

1931, a year of nationalisms and excesses: The Chinese are expelled from Sonora; the US deports Mexicans and closes its borders. Twelve desperate people cross the Sonoran desert in a 1929 Chrysler, hoping to find peace in Baja California. As their sojourn exposes both the best and the worst of human nature, racism, greed, and paranoia prove as deadly as the merciless landscape around them.

Insights

Director: Hélène de ReforestGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary follows a group of migrants as they undertake the perilous journey north through the Sonoran Desert, facing extreme conditions, dehydration, and the constant threat of death. It highlights the brutal realities and the sheer determination required to survive this treacherous path.

Critical Reception

The film was noted for its raw and unflinching portrayal of the migrant experience, earning praise for its sensitive yet direct approach to a critical social issue. While not widely reviewed, the limited critical response focused on its powerful storytelling and urgent message.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its empathetic and urgent depiction of the migrant crisis.

  • Commended for its stark realism and focus on the human element.

  • Considered an important, albeit difficult, watch.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce due to limited distribution, but those available often express deep empathy for the subjects and highlight the film's effectiveness in raising awareness about the dangers of illegal border crossings.

Fun Fact

The documentary was filmed over a significant period, allowing the filmmakers to build trust with the migrant communities they followed, resulting in an intimate and authentic perspective.

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