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Daniel Jiménez Cacho, Maribel Verdu, Carlos Bardem, Daniel Tovar, Alan Chávez ... see more see more... , Marina de Tavira , Mario Zaragoza , Fernando Becerril , Andrés Montiel

At a time when the growing chasm between the rich and the poor appears to be slowly tearing Mexico - and many other Latin countries - apart, first time filmmaker Rodrigo Plá highlights just how isolat... read more read more...ionism breeds fear in many wealthy communities. Alejandro (Daniel Tovar) lives with his father Daniel (Daniel Giménez Cacho) and his mother Mariana Maribel Verdú) in an isolated community known as La Zona. La Zona is home to the most privileged citizens in Mexico, but with all of the gates and closed circuit cameras it feels more like a million dollar prison than a typical neighborhood. Eventually, a group of disadvantaged teenagers manage to break into La Zona. As the members of the community scramble to protect their families at any cost, one of the teenaged burglars, a frightened boy named Miguel (Alan Chávez), seeks cover in the basement of Alejandro's home as his friends scatter. Later, when Alejandro discovers the young fugitive, the privileged boy's growing empathy for the petty thief and murder suspect leads him to question the values imposed on him by his father as well as the many other isolationists who have taught him to fear his fellow countrymen. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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73% liked it

2,776 ratings

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79% liked it

19 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Rodrigo Plá

Release Date: November 9, 2007

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DVD Release Date: May 12, 2009

Stats: 319 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (319)

  • gor41
    March 6, 2011
    gor41
    Efficient if unspectacular drama probing the ethics of gated communities. Benefits from its setting in Mexico but says little new that American films (and particularly German 'The Edukators' ) haven't explored adequately.
  • 76Majikat
    November 13, 2009
    76Majikat
    It?s easy to get a little lost in the storyline early on here, the acting is of a good standard, but have to admit that I found odd moments boring at times, however the last 15 minutes or so totally make this film and has a very hard impact that insists you take notice.
  • flickfever
    March 24, 2008
    flickfever
    This film was an excellent selection playing at this year's San Diego Latino Film Festival. I doubt if it will receive any sort of promotion or theatrical release in America, but it should.

    This is the story of a blocked-off community in the heart of Mexico City. The gated neig... read morehborhood is called La Zona and it is a sole entity in the eyes of the city. The residents of this zone have made a pact with the city to be left alone and live in peace. They abide by their own rules and have their own committee which mimics a sort of small-scale government.

    However, one night--a breach in security allows for three outsiders to intrude the zone and a manhunt is soon in place to find the men who pose a threat to the safety and security of their idealistic village.

    The film is magnificent in its message and social commentary. The performances of every member of the cast were brilliant and brought such gravitas to a project that had potential based on its story; but really needed good actors to carry it through.

    The film relies on world-events to make its point loud and clear. It evokes a plethora of emotions in the audience and makes for a really entertaining time--plus it brings a refreshing look at the way we see one another in the world--whether its people living across the street or across an ocean.
  • fernandorafael
    March 19, 2008
    fernandorafael
    LA ZONA is more an accomplishment of writing and directing (by newcomer RODRIGO PLA), than of acting, since most of the film's performances are dry and mechanic, with the exceptions of Daniel Giménez Cacho, Maribel Verdú and Daniel Tovar. A very interesting story about violence a... read morend corruption that tells us that the worst dangers could be in our own neighborhood.
  • divinetrash
    October 9, 2008
    divinetrash
    Wow! That "Skimo" guy has more talent in him than I had given him credit before and does a great job as one of the few likeable characters. This film was a little depressing because even though some people claim to be a little too exaggerated, I thought it was still reaslitically... read more portrayed, which was kinda depressing.
  • dfwforeignbuff
    November 24, 2009
    dfwforeignbuff
    La Zona 2007 The Zone. Occasionally a good film will make its way out of Mexico La Zona is one of those films, a fascinating examination at just how far some people will go to maintain their status and their way of life. La Zona is a movie about class differences, corruption, a... read morend the greed that resides within all of us. Life is cheap and safety is expensive in this startling fable about haves and have-nots in modern day Mexico. La Zona is a clever thriller in the tradition of Hidden and Lord of the Flies. In Mexico City, a wealthy compound is surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums. Calling this a "gated community" is not entirely accurate. It looks more like a fortress with massive metal gates protecting the rich homeowners from the riff raff outside. During a stormy night, a billboard falls over the wall and three smalltime thieves cross the border through the breach to rob. They break into a house and kill an old lady; the residents organize militias to chase the delinquents. Two of them and one security guard are murdered by the vigilantes, but the sixteen year old Miguel hides in the basement of the teenager Alejandro. When Alejandro finds Miguel, he feeds and helps the boy. Sixteen-year-old Alejandro (Tovar) is shaken by the killings and uncomfortable with the vigilante intensity of dad Daniel (Cacho) and the other residents. They agree to handle things on their own at a community meeting, but then begin to turn on each other when it's suspected a resident tipped off the outside police. Meanwhile, Alejandro discovers Miguel in the basement, and, while initially wary, he realizes the pathetic, frightened kid needs to get out of La Zona if he's to remain alive. Twisted values and fear-driven Mob madness form the core of this film. It is an impressive feature debut that shows us the horrors of vigilante justice, doing more than putting the haves against the have-nots. This film tackles issues of privilege, responsibility and group mentality in many ways. The film finishes with a punch. Santullo's script write writes not showing us anything in strictly black-and-white terms. She doesn't downplay the burglars' criminal intentions. She gives us a background for Daniel's reasons for seeking justice outside official channels; She makes him a more three-dimensional figure. But message is clear: The residents of La Zona think their wealth sets them apart from everyone else, giving them special consideration and even power over life and death. The film poses a number of interesting questions regarding taking the law into your own hands, with regards to segregation, paranoia and insularity, rich versus poor, good versus bad, and it's not a bit subtle about it. Actor's performances are strong; Even stronger is Antonio Munohierro's perfect art direction. Whether designing a verdant golf course in full view of desperate slums or the sewers of his overly natural-perfect community-- the art direction becomes as important as the action as the characters themselves. Production values are top-notch. The issues that Pla tackles in the film almost feel like allegory, and the inherent social commentary within the film is great. It's not deep or difficult to find; it's simply handled in a raw manner that feels fresh. A sharp social satire, the film shows us a disturbingly close up view of the reality of segregated communities in many parts of South America. (And America) La Zona refuses to let the audience off the hook with easy resolutions, however. The film neither demonizes nor makes excuses for the intruders, and harshly condemns the justice system both within and outside La Zona. Even the â??good cop," resorts to thuggish behavior. With rolling blackouts and a mood of increasing paranoia, La Zona echoes the classic "Twilight Zone" episode "The Monsters- Maple Street," which put suburban neighbors at each others throats. La Zona takes place in a similar ethical twilight. he movie is definitely worth viewing. A big hit at box office throughout Latin America, "La Zona" found good acceptance in theaters north of the border. The film?won best first feature? at the Venice Film Festival 2007. The film has been criticized of relying on implausibility, stupid-inconsistent characters & convenient movie thriller conventions and that these detracted from any wider morally instructive points the film might have had. I disagree It's a movie I am willing to suspend my belief to get the film makers intent. It is rare to have this good of a film from our neighbor to the south. It's one of the most accomplished feature debuts I have seen in many years. 4 stars

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Critic Reviews

Bilge Ebiri
March 24, 2008
Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine

Some may sniff at director Rodrigo Plá's deliberately exaggerated style, but it makes no pretensions to authenticity. Indeed, it's just audacious enough to work -- like Crash reimagined by Rod Serling. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
September 18, 2007
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

Signals another promising discovery in a film industry that is definitely coming into its own golden age.

Jay Weissberg
September 5, 2007
Jay Weissberg, Variety

An impressive feature debut that sweeps the viewer into the horrors of vigilante justice Full Review

Enrique Buchichio
August 25, 2009
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total

Un excelente thriller dramático, narrado con precisión y buen elenco, que es sobre todo una inquietante reflexión sobre uno de los temas más candentes y polémicos de nuestro tiempo. Full Review

Dave Calhoun
October 17, 2008
Dave Calhoun, Time Out

This slick, serious-minded tale of upper-crust vigilantes protecting their gated community at any cost is a nihilistic but thoughtful portrait of a country divided . Full Review

Jamie Russell
October 17, 2008
Jamie Russell, Film4

Latin American middle-class panic needs no translation in this strong thriller about the worries of the wealthy. Fans of JG Ballard's novels will relish it. Full Review

James Christopher
October 17, 2008
James Christopher, Times [UK]

The viral atmosphere of intimidation is alarming, and thick with resonant premonitions of a legion of dystopian urban tomorrows. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
October 17, 2008
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

A smart movie, dramatically lean and mean, exciting and often shocking. Full Review

Rob Daniel
October 17, 2008
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies

Dark, compelling, and with the courage of its hard-nosed convictions, La Zona starts off gripping and squeezes like a vice come the disturbing conclusion. Full Review

Chris Hicks
October 17, 2008
Chris Hicks, Total Film

Director Rodrigo Plá pulls off a biting critique of middle-classes living in smug seclusion, but doesn't compromise on tension as the suburbanites' morals spiral out of control. Full Review

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