Shaul Schwarz was among the first photographers from outside Mexico to focus on covering the drug wars that have turned Juárez into one of the world's most dangerous cities. Mr. Schwarz worked in Juárez from 2007 to 2009, and decided to make a feature documentary film about narco-culture in general and narcocorridos specifically. The violent lyrics, similar to gangster rap in the United States, here are juxtaposed with images of actual violence. It's easy to caricature the culture, which most people enjoy for the music and not the violent imagery, similarly to what happened with hip-hop in the 1990's in the US, which also faced spiralling drug-related violence. That said, the issues faced by the border towns sandwiched between the USA's insatiable appetite for illegal drugs and Mexican cartels' willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain their position, are deadly serious. The challenge this film faces is to get people's attention in the United States without making a one-dimensional cartoon out of the culture.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from L.A. TACO
This Pop-Up Is Reviving OG Filipino-Style Clay Pot-Baked Coconut Rice Cakes
Otto Markel is tradition-obsessed. He soaks the rice, and eventually plans to cook it over live fire, evoking the communal feel of Christmas midnight mass in the Philippines, where bibingka is traditionally prepared and enjoyed outside the church.
DAILY MEMO: ICE Continues Targeting Courthouses and Detains Another U.S. Citizen
Border Patrol was seemingly absent today, except for a raid at the Lemon Grove Home Depot. Meanwhile, ICE and HSI targeted courthouses and Santa Barbara neighborhoods, taking another U.S. citizen today.
The 69 Best Tacos in Los Angeles, Ranked
To live and eat tacos in Los Angeles. As the L.A.'s first and only publication dedicated to finding the best tacos, we are excited to present you all with this year's list. It's the guide to end all other taco guides and it is dedicated to our members who support us and to the best damn city in the world—complete with a map. Happy 69ing. TACOS FOREVER.
Daily Memo: A Thousand Confirmed Kidnappings in the Past 90 Days, Plus Two More Deaths in Detention
Exactly three months ago, six Supreme Court justices removed the temporary restraining order on roaming raids in Los Angeles, giving immigration agents the go-ahead to racially profile Latinos. Since that decision, today we have reached at least 1000 confirmed kidnappings.
Fifteen U.S. Citizens Detained In Over 96 ‘Kavanaugh Stops,’ As Feds Disregard Legal Documentation
Justice Kavanaugh laid out the framework for how racial profiling is permissible by federal agents leading to what has now been coined as the “Kavanaugh Stop,” by professor Anil Kalhan.
Is ‘I Love L.A.’ the Kind of Show L.A. Really Deserves?
For a show named after loving the city, let's hope season two can actually love the city a little more for who and what it is, not for just what it appears to be on cellphones.
