Zona Norte
Spring Grants 2021 - Post-Production Stage
Javier Alejandro Avila Leon / Feature Documentary / Mexico, Qatar / 90 min / Original Language: English, Spanish / Interests: Social Issues, Immigration
Synopsis
An intimate portrait of members of a community that lives on the streets of Zona Norte in Tijuana, Mexico—located just next to the border with the United States and one of the city’s most violent neighbourhoods. Alex, Hugo, Alan and Anthony reflect on their past and the relationships with their estranged families while facing a daily struggle against substance use disorder, health issues, police brutality and discrimination. Some of them used to have families and jobs in the US until they got deported and now own nothing but guilt and failure, while others were raised in broken families and have ended up living on the streets. They converge in Zona Norte, as outcasts trying to survive the hostilities of a society submerged in cartel wars, the government’s apathy and a global sanitary crisis, striving to hold on to their dreams of another chance at life.
Credits
- Director
- Javier Ávila
- Screenwriter
- Javier Ávila
- Producer
- María José Córdova, Javier Ávila, Pamela Rendón
- Production Company
- Woo Films
About the Director
Javier Ávila holds a bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Media from the Arts Faculty of UABC. He has worked as an editor and assistant director on Mexican short and feature films. He received the screenwriting grant from IMCINE and the FONCA grant from the Secretary of Culture. Ávila is the director of 'Niña Sola' (Girl Alone, 2019) official selection at IDFA, Morelia IFF, Dok.Fest Munich, BAFICI, Festival de Cine de Lima, FICUNAM, among others. 'Zona Norte' is his second documentary feature.