Educational Media Reviews Online

The fascinating and tragic events in Guatemala which are recounted in this engrossing documentary have all the intrigue of a John Grisham mystery novel: the brazen murder of a high-powered lawyer who foretells his own violent death, accusations of corruption at the highest levels of government, wiretapping of organized crime figures, allegations of money laundering, a passionate illicit love affair, scores of hitmen, and an elite team of investigators compiling evidence from grainy video footage, cell phone records and prison interviews.

It’s a tight and well-crafted film, with even pacing and logical flow. Dramatic music very effectively heightens the tension of the compelling events portrayed. Candid interviews with primary sources, principally the victim’s son and the lead investigator, add personal impact to the compelling plot.

The creators do well at presenting the surprising and controversial conclusions of the lead investigator, capturing the lack of closure that typifies real-life crime stories.

The storyline is quite complex and intricate, and this reviewer often found himself pressing rewind in order to keep all the individuals and events clear. Visual aids are recommended to assist with student comprehension..

This work is especially well-suited to use in criminal justice or Latin American studies undergraduate courses.

Awards

• 2014, Winner, Best Director, Liberpress Cinema
• 2014, Winner, Best Documentary made for tv, Pro-Docs, Barcelona, 2014
• 2014, Winner, Best Director, Documentary, Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival
• 2013, Winner, Best Feature Documentary, TallGrass Film Festival, Wichita, Kansas USA
• 2013, Winner, Best Documentary by non- Latin director, 35th Havana Film Festival, Cuba