Greetings again from the darkness. Even in this digital age where information exists from all sides of a conflict … often with corresponding video, the general public somehow remains complacent to issues that don’t directly and obviously affect their lifestyle. Skilled documentarian Matthew Heineman ignores the rhetoric of political speeches and plops the war against drug cartels right into our lap.
This is a different approach to a topic with which we are all at least somewhat familiar. The involved parties include the affected communities (in Mexico and Arizona), the governments and affiliated agencies (DEA, Border Patrol), the ever-expanding vigilante groups of citizens (Arizona Border Recon, AutoDefensas), and of course the cartels (focus on Knights Templar).
Intimacy is the key here, as Mr. Heineman takes us inside these groups with an up-close look at leaders. Especially fascinating is Dr. Mireles who is the face of the AutoDefensas – a group he pledges will protect communities from the cartels, who clearly have no regard for human life. The film doesn’t shy away from the expected issues: citizen pushback, greed, abuse of power, and corruption. As AutoDefensas teams with the Mexican government to create the Rural Defense Force, we can’t help but wonder if the rumors of differing goals are at play in the drug battles. Citizens want safety, but what is it that the government wants? Is the goal drug-free streets or is it a cut of the action.
Learning how desperate the vigilantes are to protect their homes, turf and way of life, we are left with little doubt of their mission. It’s everyone else that we must keep questioning and holding accountable. This is not an easy documentary to watch, but it’s necessary if you have previously lost interest as the next politician proclaims he will continue “the war on drugs”.
David Ferguson
Twitter: @fergusontx
site: http://moviereviewsfromthedark.com/
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Hey Dave,
Just wanted to say thanks for your review. We’ve been called all kinds of things since we’ve been on the border for the last 5 years. Matt made a good movie telling the story. I just wish I was involved in all the interviews he did with my people, but I only got to see them in the finished product. Since that time I have removed any and all personnel from AZBR that spouted racist remarks. We have saved more illegals lives than I can count. Matt chose to cut all the good things we also do for the lawlessness of the Mexican side of the film. Violence sells and doing it by the law is boring I guess. By the way, we don’t have cable on the border so the Hannity scene is dubbed in for effect .
But you are right when you said. ” It’s everyone else that we must keep questioning and holding accountable.”
especially the politicians on both sides of the border. Glad you enjoyed the movie.
Tim nailer Foley
Field operations director
Arizona Border Recon