IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > El cártel (2009)

El cártel (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 10 | slideshow) Videos (see all 5)
El cártel (2009) -- Cuándo un ingenuo periodista se acerca al cártel más poderoso de México y solicita una audiencia con su líder  un feroz ex-sacerdote asesino  él se da cuenta rápidamente que él está metido en un problema muy grave.  ¡En México, nada pasa como esperas!
El cártel (2009) -- En los desiertos de Mexico, dos compinches del Cartel (Miguel Rodarte y Gustavo Sanchez-Parra) preparan tres victimas (Alejandro de la Madrid, Freddy Douglas y Howard Gibson) para alimentar a los buitres.
El cártel (2009) -- "In Mexico, nothing goes as planned!"  Mexico's most notorious drug lord schools a naive journalist as to the principles behind the cartel's success.
El cártel (2009) -- Pancho (Miguel Rodarte) and Rojas (Gustavo Sanchez Parra) prepare to feed three unfortunate victims to the vultures (Freddy Douglas, Howard Gibson, and Alejandro de la Madrid).
El cártel (2009) -- Mexico's most notorious drug lord schools a naive journalist as to the secrets behind the cartel's success.

Overview

User Rating:
5.5/10   284 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Brian J. Bagley (story)
Contact:
View company contact information for El cártel on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 May 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
In Mexico, nothing goes as planned.
Plot:
Mexico's most notorious drug lord schools a naïve journalist as to the principles behind The Cartel's success. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
Cool Movie, Two Thumbs Up. more (7 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

José Luis Franco ... Angel Santana
Freddy Douglas ... Jules Land
Mauricio Islas ... Santos
Tania Arredondo ... Dolores Santana

Howard Gibson ... Vern

Miguel Rodarte ... Pancho
Gustavo Sanchez-Parra ... Rojas
Gustavo Sánchez Parra ... Rojas
Rafael Oliveira ... Ned Constantine

Alejandro de la Madrid ... Officer Solana

Khotan ... Caronte

José Sefami ... Don Amilkar
Hector Kotsifakis ... Young Angel Santana
Humberto Elizondo ... Pedro Santana
Tom Martino ... Tom Donaldson
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
El cartel (USA) (alternative spelling)
Want of Opportunity (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
USA:90 min | USA:87 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
While on location in San Carlos, Mexico, the cast and crew were constantly attacked by bees. Although faced with a constant barrage of painful stings (even while the cameras were rolling), cast and crew alike pushed on, completing the necessary shots on schedule. more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful.
Cool Movie, Two Thumbs Up., 9 June 2009
8/10
Author: sampson1411 from Los Angeles, California

EL CARTEL REVIEW by SAMPSON 411 While not perfect, El Cartel makes up for its flaws with ambition and quality. In short, "Cool Movie! Two thumbs up." 8.0/10 stars.

The story follows Jules Land, a mediocre journalist who follows a "once in a lifetime" story into the cartel-infested deserts of Mexico. Once across the border, he meets with Angel Santana, presumably Mexico's most notorious drug lord (and the antithesis of the swaggering, high-rolling, high-profile drug lords the likes of Pablo Escobar) and learns the inner workings of Santana's empire.

The Mexican actors definitely out-shine their gringo counterparts. The Hispanic actors, especially Santana (played by Jose Luis Franco) and Santos (Mauricio Islas), give great performances. The performance from the film's heroes, Jules (Freddy Douglas) and Vern (Howard Gibson), are less than commanding and both seem a bit "outgunned" by their Mexican co-stars. Fortunately, the mismatch in acting lends to the overall arch of the story (that of the bad guys completely being in control as they "school" the gringos about how the cartel does business).

The visual feel of the movie is clear and bright when necessary, but dark and gritty when called for. The locations and scenery are so impressive that, at moments, they seem to be part of the cast. The crew (particularly the location scouts, directors of photography, and lighting) gets accolades for coming through big time with the film's "look." A stellar grade is also awarded to the film's composer for his/her original score. It's not unheard of for a low budget independent to have GOOD original music, but it's rare (hint – please make a soundtrack).

El Cartel has it's own stylistic feel, and does something no other film has done. Each "chapter" of the film has a mini-lesson that is presented to the viewer as being one of Santana's rules of business. These rules are what has led Santana to his success in dominating the Latin American drug trade. The movie is "paced" by a countdown of these 13 business lessons, bringing the film to a head upon its conclusion as the "first" principle is finally understood by our hero, Jules. The idea works and is definitely cool (for example, some of Santana's business rules include, "Follow your passion" or "There's no such thing as a once in a lifetime opportunity").

Was the above review useful to you?
more (7 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for El cártel (2009)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Traffic Until Death The Hunting Party Licence to Kill The Assassination of Richard Nixon
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Drama section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.