La Jaula de Oro

Juan, Sara, and Samuel are teenagers from the poorest part of Guatemala. With dreams of a happier life, they embark on a journey through Mexico, willing to do whatever is necessary to get to the United States. On their way, they meet Chauk, an Indian boy who can't speak Spanish, but ends up tagging along. When Chauk shows a liking for Sara, the brutish Juan becomes increasingly jealous and hostile. But their inner tensions are nothing compared to the horrors they will face on the road to America. As they hop trains, they encounter kidnappers, bandits, and crooked cops looking to take advantage of their youth and naivety. As their adventure derails into a nightmare, Juan and Chauk will need to settle their feud for their own collective good. LA JAULA DE ORO, or “the golden dream,” is an incredibly human look at the plight of illegal immigrants. It's told not through the spin of politics or statistics, but through endearing young characters who cling to hope and loyalty in the face of dreadful circumstances. (In Spanish with subtitles) —E.F.