El Norte

The Hillman chapter discussed the movie El Norte, which tells the story of Mayan Indian peasants who attempt to escape from Guatemala to the U.S. through Mexico. They are constantly under suspicion, since they are Indians. This brother and sister depend on the advice of others to get to "El Norte" by train, truck, and bus. One of them becomes sick, most probably from the rats they encountered in the sewage pipes under the border, and they depend on a mix of modern medicine and indigenous folklore. After arriving in Los Angeles, they rent an apartment. This apartment is their utopia, especially since it has a toilet. The toilet is a symbol of their success. If you have not seen the movie, rent it. It's worth it.