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| Adam Fields is a Border Patrol agent who has ties to a group of anti-immigrant vigilantes. What is ironic about him is that he is himself Hispanic, but passing as Anglo. He is filled with a self-loathing for the background he feels is inferior and shameful. |
(2004) Film Review |
| This page was created on April 14, 2004
This page was last updated on
April 15, 2004
—Review
—About this Film
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| CREDITS |
| Directed by John Carlos Frey
Screenplay by John Carlos Frey
Producers
John Carlos Frey ... producer
Jack Lorenz ... producer
Cast - in credits order
John Carlos Frey ... Adam Fields
Michelle Agnew ... Eva Ramirez
Anne Betancourt ... Lenora
Joel Brooks ... Vance Johnson
Joe Pascual ... Jose
Kai Lennox ... Peter Randolph
Joe Pasqual ... Jose
J. Patrick McCormack ... Jack Green
Tricia O'Kelley ... Jennifer McGregory
Other credited cast listed alphabetically
Juan Eduardo Gonzalez ... Drug Boss
Juan R. Gonzalez ... Carlos
Rudy Quintanilla ... Jorje munuz
Rob Roy ... FBI Agent #2
Original Music by Carlo Giacco
Cinematography by Kris Denton
Edited by Jacek Kropinski
MPAA: Rated R for language, violence including a rape, sexuality and drug content.
Runtime: 103 min
For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, and MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG |
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| SYNOPSIS |
 The Gatekeeper is a true to life drama surrounding the struggles and civil unrest that exists around the U.S./Mexico border. U.S. Border Patrol Agent Adam Fields ruthlessly goes undercover to expose the illegal operations of immigrants crossing the border, while advancing
his own racist, right-wing personal agenda. Shot entirely in and around San Diego by director John Carlos Frey, a University of San Diego grad born in Tijuana and raised in San Diego, The Gatekeeper has been honored with numerous awards from film festvals over the past year, including:
Winner - Phoenix Prize - Santa Barbara International Film Festval
Winner - "Best of Fest" - Audience Choice - San Diego Latino Film Festval
Winner - Best Film - Audience Choice - Temecula Valley International Film Festival
Winner - Best Film - International Hispanic Film Festval
Winner - Best Film - "Rialto Award" - Winslow International Film Festval
Winner - Best Film - Audience Choice - International Hispanic Film Festval
Winner - Best Film - Latin Series - Festvals of Festvals
Winner - Distinguished Performance - International Hispanic Film Festival
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 Review by
DARREL MANSON BLOG
Pastor, Artesia Christian Church, Artesia, CA
http://netministries.org/see/churches/ch01198
Darrel has an incredible love and interest in the cinematic arts. His reviews usually include independent and significantly important film.
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 Every day several hundred people enter the U.S. illegally, mostly from Mexico. Some people see these people as the "huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Some see them as a pool of cheap, easily exploitable labor. Some see them
as an invading hoard that is stealing jobs and endangering our way of life and national security.
 Director/writer/actor John Carlos Frey wants us first of all to see them as people.
Frey was born in Tijuana, but grew up in the U.S., living within half a mile of the border with helicopters flying overhead and immigrants sneaking through yards. In The Gatekeeper he shows us that some of those who struggle to get here pay prices we never consider.
 For a year or so, this film traveled to various film festivals (which is where I saw it). It is what I often term "film festival fare." (By that I don't mean to disparage it in any way. It is the kind of film that rarely makes it to theatrical release. Often these festival type films are the filmmaker's voice calling out for us to listen.)
It is now getting a small theatrical showing in a few major cities.
 In the film, Adam Fields (played by Frey) is a Border Patrol agent who has ties to a group of anti-immigrant vigilantes. What is ironic about him is that he is himself Hispanic, but passing as Anglo. He is filled with a self-loathing for the background he feels is inferior and shameful.
 He unofficially goes undercover to be brought across by smugglers. The vigilantes plan to ambush the group after they make it across the border. Instead the ambush goes very wrong. Fields ends up being taken with the rest of the aliens to a well hidden location to pay off their debt in virtual slavery. His eyes are opened to the plight
of these people that he has felt so poisoned against.
 The story is melodrama with caricatures of villains and victims. The vigilantes are played a bit over the top. (Although to listen to talk radio would confirm that people with this bigotry really are out there.) The "employer" is despicable in every conceivable way. The immigrants are poor, noble and caring. Fields' transformation is poignant
and moving. It seems way too black and white for such a gray issue.
 Frey may not solve any of the issues involved with immigration, but that's not his purpose. His voice is one that calls us to look at those involved without dehumanizing them. He calls us to be willing to show mercy on those who are in need and oppressed. These calls are certainly in line with the teaching of Christ. |
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No other uses are permitted without the prior written consent of owner. Use of the material in violation of the foregoing may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Credits and dates are subject to change. For more information, please visit their official site.
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