Sin Nombre

Javaflix 10.10.09                   SIN NOMBRE Discussion Guide

Opening Statement:

 http://www.filmstarmag.com/reviews/other/sin_nombre

 

·      Although made by an American, this movie is well researched by the director who spent weeks on the trains and interviewed gang members of the real gang featured in the film.

 

·      What did you think? How did it make you feel?

 

·      What is your interpretation of the opening shot in the film?

 

·      What do you think about the ending? What did you expect to happen?

 

·      What does the ending communicate about redemption? Consequences?

 

·      Did the psychics quote about making it across the border in the “devils hands” come true? Why or why not?

 

·      What were your feelings about Smiley? What did you think would happen to him?

 

·      What needed to happen in order for Smiley to change?

 

·      How often do you think about the location you were born as affecting so much of your life?

 

·      How did the violence in the film affect you? What did you think of how it was portrayed?

 

·      Is the journey worth the risk?  (50% do not make it) Have you ever tried something where there was a 50% chance it wouldn’t work?

 

·      What influences the characters lives and decisions?

 

·      What is freedom as presented in the film? What are the characters trying to escape from?

 

·      A critic calls the film “a buoyant and beautiful hymn to life”. Do you agree? Why or why not?

 

 

• Does this film remind anyone of any other movies? (city of god, maria full of grace). How is it similar/different?
• What does the title mean?
• What do you think about the relationship between Sayra and Casper? Why does she decide to trust him? What is he afraid of?
• What choices are the characters able to make? What are situations in which they are given no choice?