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Cartel Land

SPECIAL MENTION OF THE JURY
Matthew Heineman
98' / 2015 / Mexico, United States of America
Web: cartellandmovie.com/
Spanish, English
English and spanish subtitled

Audience vote 8

CARTEL LAND is a harrowing look at two modern-day vigilante groups and their shared enemy – the murderous Mexican drug cartels. In the Mexican state of Michoacán, Dr. Jose Mireles, a small-town physician known as "El Doctor," leads the Autodefensas, a citizen uprising against the violent Knights Templar drug cartel. Meanwhile, in Arizona's Altar Valley, Tim "Nailer" Foley, a US veteran, heads a paramilitary group - Arizona Border Recon - whose goal is to stop Mexico’s drug wars from seeping across our border. Filmmaker Matthew Heineman embeds himself in the heart of darkness as Nailer, El Doctor, and the cartel each vie to bring their own brand of justice where institutions have failed.

Main Festivals & Awards

Sundance Film Festival 2015: Directing Award: U.S. Documentary, U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematography

Director's Biography

Matthew Heineman is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker based in New York. He directed and produced ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE premiering at Sundance 2012 winning several festival awards and previously collaborated with HBO on the Emmy-nominated series, The Alzheimer's Project.