Pocha: Manifest Destiny

So many movies exude pride from the people behind the camera as well as the writers. You'll see none of that here. Just raw, sinewy survival. Not a second of overacting, just pure real life brought to your screen. The director of this should be knighted. Every single person in this was so flawless. How does that happen without attentive, highest standard directing? Well it doesn't.

Also it's relevant to today with many people being able to relate to the border and drug issues through personal experience. This movie shows the conflict so many face trying to balance familial obligations with personal survival.

I loved this film. The casting could not have been more perfect, the cinematography was phenomenal, and the score was haunting. An interesting telling of an immigrant story portrayed through the eyes of a young fierce woman. The lead character is not your typical immigrant character. She has been raised an American speaking no Spanish and knowing nothing about Mexican culture. There is not much dialogue which gives the film a tension that is felt from beginning to end. Sixtos carries the film with her expressive and tense eyes which could not have been an easy task. This movie will have you at the edge of your seat. Beautifully chilling film.

The plot is too superficial to reflect some social problems, but it failed to speak well. For example, given a lot of feature stories about burning cactus, we don't know what we want to express.

Fantastic first effort for the screenwriter. Movie is full of nuance as well as great suspense. Viewer is constantly questioning the reasons for the action. The story works on many levels.

It deserves to be shown to a wider audience on big screens. We were fortunate to see in in a special screening in a theater but most people will have to settle for downloads.

To create such a great moving on a shoe-string budget is almost unbelievable. Can't wait to see the next picture which will hopefully have a bigger budget.

Well worth 90 minutes of time to check out this film.

I have to say the adventurousness of this humanistic thriller lived up to the trailer and did not disappoint. A controversial subject matter to say the least! It' is certainly a different perspective for the movie goer to have to make so many decisions about how to feel about a main character. I find myself still shocked by some of the decisions and consequences experienced by Claudia, the main character. This film is both high action and socially and emotionally complex. The film is beautifully shot. These filmmakers did not cheat the audience of the opportunity to experience some breathtaking countryside. I will need to watch it again to see if my opinion of some of the intense situations and scenarios evolve. This movie is entertaining, thought provoking and dramatic! Definitely check it out.