DVD Review: Amexicano
by Michael McGruther
Just when you thought American independent cinema was dead and gobbled up by the majors, here comes two strong, new voices straight outta Brooklyn (and Queens), Matthew Bonifacio and Carmine Famiglhetti, the director and writer/star of “Amexicano,” a low budget indie feature (and I mean truly indie) that has the power to make you feel compassion where you thought you had none, and will likely make you and whomever you’re watching it with, argue about the very topic that is so central to its plot but not really what the movie is about — illegal immigration.
Personally, I’m not one who enjoys reviews that detail every last scene, so that’s not what I am going to do here. Roll trailer:
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The real story in “Amexicano” is the true friendship that forms between two men from different worlds with the exact same needs on the streets of present day America. Bruno, the down on his luck Italian from Queens and Ignacio, the salt of the earth Mexican from Mexico, both need work and money and all the dignity and freedom that comes along with it.
Freedom for Bruno would mean that he can finally move out of his friend’s basement and “get a life,” while freedom for Ignacio means he can make enough money to provide for himself and his family and live in the land of opportunity. They’re both after the exact same thing — though through Ignacio’s eyes the American dream still has all the mystery, excitement and sense of adventure about it — something so many have romanticized poorly in the past, yet Bonifacio actually captures through this character.
Mr. Famiglhetti is so good as Bruno that you’re shocked when you realize he also penned the script. This is a major talent who bucked the system every step of the way and as the pic’s producer he self-released it after its run at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Bonifacio’s deft use of the camera is a refreshing change from the bizarre out of focus “Dogme 95” style of filmmaking that became popular in the 90’s and somehow passed as art. “Amexicano” feels more like a Hal Ashby picture than it does modern day quick-cut/hard to follow indie fare.
“Amexicano” is high quality, honest storytelling that brings back a time when American cinema wasn’t so much overtly political as it was overtly truthful and with a moral ending left to the audience. It’s well worth your time to rent or buy it as the first in a collection of new American classics that truly do represent the “New Hollywood.”
The DVD is on the shelf at WalMart and Target and available on-line through Nexflix or Amazon.com.
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37 Comments
Yes, this does look like a good film, but I understand what folks mean by a dilution of culture. Multiculturalism is about segmentation, not assimilation. An "American culture," as we've known it for 200-plus years, one that absorbs people from many cultures and inculcates a set of common values, is what's eroding and becoming diluted. That's to our great peril as a nation, in my view.
If that “overtly truthful” ending means Im supposed to feel sympathy for the guy that broke into my country, increased crime, lowered wages, diluted my culture & stole part of my child’s birthright…then no thanks.
Juke,
Just curious, how has your culture been “diluted”?
I think Juke is that guy that tried to buy the Hitler cake for his kid’s B-Day.
I’d say diluted culture in the way that they have enabled Political Correctness to wave a flag in their honor. Illegals get shot or caught or whatever on American private property and the ACLU sues and takes the rancher’s land and gives it to the illegals.
Or we could take the situation in Dallas or Houston where students there illegally act as if free education, health care, and wealth is something owed to them, not that it is a gift or a privilege.
Legal immigrants from across either ocean come here and flourish. They see America as the land of opportunity. Illegals (read from south of the border) come here and demand their “rights”, demand “free” health care, free housing, free education, refuse to learn English, and do next to nothing to benefit society. They act as if the United States (or at least the southwest) rightfully belongs to Mexico, so they are entitled to do with it what they will.
Furthermore, did you ever see acres of discarded garbage littering the border states in the wake of legal immigration?
We have immigration laws, and those immigration laws are not unjust. Illegals feel they don’t need to obey the laws. Someone once said to me that Mary & Joseph were immigrants too. Yes, but they also registered with the government officials.
“David M – February 12th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I think Juke is that guy that tried to buy the Hitler cake for his kid’s B-Day.”
Why? Because I stand with my countrymen?
Nice backbone you’ve got there. Remind me to never let you stand behind me on a battlefield.
Hmmm…I can’t help but wonder if the root of the conservative’s beef with immigration isn’t immigration law, but the…umm…”background” of the people doing the immigrating.
Guess what guys, Latino-bashing guarantees that you will be a permanent minority party. LEGAL Latino voters arguably threw Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Florida into the Democratic column. So, please, go on Latino-bashing, that should pay huge dividends for your party next election.
“Dr. Manhattan – February 12th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Hmmm…I can’t help but wonder if the root of the conservative’s beef with immigration isn’t immigration law, but the…umm…”background” of the people doing the immigrating.”
Yes…and? I make no apologies for standing with Western culture.
“Guess what guys, Latino-bashing guarantees that you will be a permanent minority party. LEGAL Latino voters arguably threw Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Florida into the Democratic column. So, please, go on Latino-bashing, that should pay huge dividends for your party next election.”
“Vote for your own destruction or you’re a racist, homophobe, white devil, xenophobe, etc…” *yawn* heard it before
So, Juke…I take it you volunteered to go fight in one of our recent wars? Oh, you didn’t? Then shut your racist piehole.
Juke,
So, even though Mexico is in the WESTERN hemisphere, it’s not Western culture? How do you figure?
“Dr. Manhattan – February 12th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Juke,
So, even though Mexico is in the WESTERN hemisphere, it’s not Western culture? How do you figure?”
Because its never been under anyone’s definition of Western culture.
Of course you knew that. You’re just dumbing down the conversation in order to try & win an argument.
Waste someone else’s time with that.
You forgot to call me a racist in the last post too….you’re gonna lose your multicultural cred if you dont tighten up
“Aww, Duke is a PAYTWIAT – February 12th, 2009 at 11:07 am
So, Juke…I take it you volunteered to go fight in one of our recent wars? Oh, you didn’t? Then shut your racist piehole.”
you forgot xenophobe…
Juke, I’m not sure why you’re so bothered about being called a racist, because in your earlier post you proudly admitted that you were.
Just for fun, you define “Western culture” as “white culture”, right?
Why so bitter Juke? If your children fail to meet your expectations it’s gonna be your and their fault, not immigration’s fault. And if by birthright you mean working at a fast food place, picking fruit, unskilled labor and constructions work then I suggest you try to make your kids shoot higher than that because in this country there is no reason a hard working young man/woman of legal status can’t do better than these jobs, that is unless they are lazy or their parents don’t care. Yea illegal immigration is not right but it shouldn’t hinder your children to aspire for something more and please just try not to pass on your bitterness to your kids.
Dr. Manhattan, if you’ve got a real point to make please do but personal attacks only show what little argument you have.
Where are you people from? I’m assuming not from any of the soutwestern states that have to pay the price for illegal immigration. And it is the illegal part that bothers us, not what country anyone is from. It just happens that Mexicans make up the majority of illegals so they must take their fair share of the blame. So, you all continue living in your ivory towers where illegal immigration doesn’t affect you, but down in the southwest we are impacted each and every day…or did none of you read where Phoenix is now moved into 2nd place for most kidnappings, behind Mexico City. Just another great “culture” that ILLEGALS have brought to this country.
“I’d say diluted culture in the way that they have enabled Political Correctness to wave a flag in their honor”
I hate to break it to you, but that was white people. Minorities in this country generally have very little to do with PC nonsense. It’s white people like the liberals who come here to troll who have adopted them as their pet class (always, of course, kept at arm’s length) and created all this PC nonsense.
Michael, although I vehemently disagree with your assertion that George P. Bush will ever be President, you are spot on that Republicans ought to cool their jets about Latinos.
One can argue the nuances of immigration laws, but demographics don’t lie. There is a growing LEGAL Latino population in this country, and the majority of them aren’t going to be too enthused with the Juke style Latino-bashing that has sadly become one of the conservative go to rhetorical moves. W pulled something like 40% of the Latino vote in 2004. McCain got something around 15% nationally I believe. Do the math, if Republicans continue to use Latinos as their boogeymen, they all but guarantee election losses in 2010 and 2012.
Michael McGruther – February 12th, 2009 at 11:29 am
…as a people they will never buy it because they always put God first. Europe is overrun with Muslims — we are overrun with Catholics! Not a bad deal if you ask me…
NOW we understand your ignorance. You sure have been sold a bill of goods. MS-13-types is what we are getting. The good Catholics are staying put. We are getting the people that MEXICO doesn’t want! LOL!
I’m the whitest white guy I know, and my ancestors were immigrants from a non-”Western” culture.
Back to the topic at hand, it sounds like a worthwhile indy film that I will add to my Netflix. Thanks for the heads up, McCruther.
Of course, if it wasn’t for conservative white trash rednecks getting their asses hooked on meth and oxycotin, then the Mexican drug cartels wouldn’t have nearly the power that they do now.
Oh, good, Syn is playing the tried and true “Ivy League” card. Yep, conservatives once again playing the resentment card. I’m sorry that your idiot kids couldn’t pass night school at Ivy Tech.
I have no problems with people from south of the border. I have every problem with people from south of the border who are here through legal means. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for them to have a job lined up before they get here either.
I would argue that most illegals come here from south of the border because A) people don’t generally leave Canada for the U.S., and B) the Mexican border is a giant unguarded funnel.
Unfatmatt, just how “guarded” do you think the Canadian border is?
Sorry, Michael but i gotta sort disagree with part of your comment….
“don’t think any of you have seen the film but you’re already all arguing about illegal immigration.”
first, the big thing in recent Republican history that has made me give up on having any hope for the GOP was “amnesty” in regards to the illegal immigration issue.
As Conservatives, we should welcome ANY immigrant (regardless of their national/political preferences) that used the _correct_ channels to become a productive member of society {“Give me your tired, your poor, your hungry…”}.
But, if they came here illegally, then I’m sorry, whether or not their story is one worthy of tears and sympathy, they still have no “right” of becoming an American citizen.
But to the point where I’ll disagree with something you wrote: “Let them try liberalism out”…and the reason I say this is because I believethere are (IMO) more that would like the “Get something for nothing” than like the idea of “working for something”. (see the La Raza and MEXCAL (or whatever it’s called) group.)
You’re going under the assumption that everyone who emigrates up here from Mexico is naturally conservative, and you just can’t assume that. Are most pro-life/pro-religion? Probably.. but doesn’t that necessarily make them a Conservative.
This sounds like an interesting film. I hope it shows here in Cincinnati.
Verrrrry cool Can't wait to see it.
Where did all the other posts go?
THis looks awesome!
Looks like another pro-illegal alien propaganda piece like "A Day without a Mexican."
Wow! Just watching the trailer makes me want to agitate for open borders.
So, is this a pro-illegal alien film or not. All I want to know. Don't need another film telling me how to be compassionate. Nor one telling me how lazy Americans are. We are all each and everyone trying to survive and do the best we can for ourselves and loved ones. That's it.
But you break the law, unless you're a flaming liberal/marxist/communist, of course, you ride the rap.
For the sequel, they can show where all the money goes: billions from illegal aliens in the U.S. to help prop up the corruption Mexican government, millions made by corrupt banks who let illegal aliens open bank accounts or who give them home loans, millions made by corrupt businesses, part of which they use to in effect pay off corrupt politicians, and so on.
I'm looking forward to the sequel.
For the sequel, they can show where all the money goes: billions from illegal aliens in the U.S. to help prop up the corrupt Mexican government, millions made by corrupt banks who let illegal aliens open bank accounts or who give them home loans, millions made by corrupt businesses, part of which they use to in effect pay off corrupt politicians, and so on.
I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I'm with Juke…where did the other posts go. If you are to run a blog you will not find people taking kindly to removal of blog posts because the thread discussion did not go the way you planned. If that's the case, then why don't you just tell us what to say and think and turn of posts for this article…saves us all a lot of time.
"W pulled something like 40% of the Latino vote in 2004. McCain got something around 15% nationally I believe. Do the math, if Republicans continue to use Latinos as their boogeymen, they all but guarantee election losses in 2010 and 2012."
How does this make sense? McCain was more pro amnesty than Bush. What bothers me about illegal immigration from the southern border is that unlike most other immigrants, they are not tied to the U.S. like those from Europe or Asia. If it goes bad here, they can head home much more easily. Thanks to my Grandparents for cutting ties and coming here almost a century ago.
"Of course, if it wasn't for conservative white trash rednecks getting their asses hooked on meth and oxycotin, then the Mexican drug cartels wouldn't have nearly the power that they do now."
I'm guessing this was posted by someone that has never seen more trees than are in Central park. Meth and Oxycontin aren't controlled by Mexican drug cartels.
Hey, Big Hollywood you just waffled on the Eric Holder "we are a nation of cowards" stand that race discussion ends when liberals say RAAAAAACISSSSST.
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