Review by Chris Walts

El Camino is the story of two Nicaraguan children who set out to cross the border into Costa Rica to find their mother who left them with their abusive grandfather eight years earlier. Skillfully directed by Ishtar Yasin, El Camino examines the reasons behind people's migration and the lengths they will go to change their lives. Although the reason for twelve-year-old Saslaya's (Sherilyn Paola Velásquez) journey makes sense, her life consists of picking through a garbage dumb for scarps and being sexually abused by her grandfather, her journey also mimics those around her which ultimately seems like the realization of the grass-is-always-greener dream. Whether this is Yasin's overriding metaphor or not is up for debate, but the fact that it is gently weaved through the film gives testament to his strong directorial vision. Darkly shot, this sometimes poignantly funny film was an enlightening experience to watch.

El Camino
Ishtar Yasin | Costa Rica | 2007 | 91min