One of the most contentious and divisive topics to date is immigration. El Norte, a film, written and directed by Gregory Nava in 1983. The film shows a brother and sister from Guatemala, and their long journey from Mexico to el norte. Their journey begins in a small village and ends in California. El norte is a movie that examines the topic of undocumented workers purely from their perspective. 

In the village people would pick beans for hours, which was very harsh on their backs. 

Enrique and his sister Rosa felt forced to leave due to the government troops killing everyone from the union meeting, even their father. They departed from their village and started their journey to the U.S. A friend suggests that Enrique would find a "coyote" when they arrive in Tijuana and claim to be from Mexico with the goal to pass through the border. However, the border was like a "warzone" and crossing it was extremely risky if they were caught, they would get killed.  When they first arrive, they are instructed to crawl through drainage pipes, but what they didnt know was there were hundreds of rats that ended up attacking them.

They experience all the obstacles you would anticipate along the route, as well as a few you wouldn't expect. This is a somber, dramatic movie but also doesn't hesitate to show the humor that may exist even in the face of intense conflict. Rosa and Enrique begin their employment search after arriving in Los Angeles. Enrique worked as a bus boy and dishwasher. Rosa started working in the clothing industry then as a maid. The bosses, according to Enrique's father, primarily valued men for their powerful arms. They have a better quality of life now that they are in America than they had previously. 

This movie heavily emphasizes themes of pioneering fortitude and endurance as well as the harrowing hardships of the journey they must do to achieve there. In all three parts of the movie, cultural differences are a dominant issue. El Norte's message, in my opinion, is that many people desire   better existence in the United States despite the significant risks involved, and that many of these immigrants are not vicious but defenseless people looking for better lives and even the most difficult situatuions can be overcome.

Lots should watch El Norte to not just show how they make it to the American dream but to show the challenges they faced all through the journey and how much work they put in to not give up if you really want something.