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Who is Dayani Cristal?

Play trailer Poster for Who is Dayani Cristal? 2013 1h 22m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
The attempt to identify human remains found in Arizona's Sonora Desert underscores the plight of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States.

Critics Reviews

View All (25) Critics Reviews
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online But while the film has some truly poignant moments, especially when we hear more from the family John Doe left behind in their own words, the film still struggles to find a singular voice. Rated: B- Sep 2, 2017 Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times It gets at the heart. But we also learn sober truths. Rated: 4/5 Jul 25, 2014 Full Review Leslie Felperin Guardian Only the most callous anti-immigration zealot could fail to find these stories poignant, but there's something awkwardly artificial about the dramatised strand ... Jul 24, 2014 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com While Bernal's name is an immeasurable asset to getting a project like this out there, his presence is about as equally detrimental to the success of the end result. Rated: 2.5/5 Aug 30, 2019 Full Review Lucy Popescu CineVue The cinematography is superb. The reconstruction of the journey includes breathtaking imagery of the harsh landscape the migrants are up against as well as stunning footage of young men riding atop a train... Rated: 4/5 Apr 3, 2019 Full Review Stefan Pape HeyUGuys Who is Dayani Cristal? marks an accomplished sophomore feature film for Silver that is sure to upset and compel in equal measure. Rated: 3 Jul 31, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (7) audience reviews
Audience Member Well made combination of documentary about the plight of hopeful immigrants to the U.S, and re-enactment by Gael García Bernal of the road they take. Following investigation into who is the man found dead in the Sonora desert with the tatoo "Dayani Cristal" on his chest. Well done. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Very moving, Gael Garcia with a fascinating ease gives a face and a name to a deceived immigrant, that like many others risks it all for a chance to get a job and provide a decent leaving for their families. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member el ver algo como lo sucedido en este documental,es deveras un acto que no puede uno mas que tener el mas alto respeto por las personas que arriesgan su vida por vivir el sueño americano,muy cierto lo que se dice ahi,se debe tomar en cuenta a la humanidad antes que cualquier estatus legal... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member You will be moved to tears when you see this accurate and revealing portrayal of what poor immigrants endure in order to reach the Promised Land- yes the nation that so many of us take for granted. Gael Garcia Bernal plays Dayani Cristal, a man from Honduras determined to make a better life for his three children and wife. The cost: his own life! This moving and powerful documentary deals with the challenging aspects of the U.S. Immigration policy and critic Rene Rodriguez from the Miami Herald hits the bull's eye with this statement that I totally agree with: "The focus of the film may be the deadly dangers of illegal border crossings, but its true subject is ordinary people and the things they'll do for the ones they love." Nigel Andrews from the FT commented something that goes to the heart of the matter as well: "We learn the cruelty of a system of hope in which the longing for a better life is the bait to lure people to an untimely death." Dayani Cristal, merely 29 years old, became another sad statistic to the thousands that die over the years trying to reach that Promised Land..A compelling and touching motion picture that begs for immigration reform. Please WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY and Bravo to the cast and crew of Who is Dayani Cristal. Through interviews, photos, and real depictions of other immigrants, the viewer sees the final weeks of Dayani Cristal. We are so fortunate, so blessed to be American citizens. We are living in the Promised Land, we have a slice of the American dream and every day I am thankful for that, and for serving my country honorably, because I love the United States of America. I am so sorry for the nightmares that these human beings go through. Until immigration reform takes place, how many more deaths will take place? RECOMMENDED!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Un buen recorrido que a veces se pierde en la poco clara vision del realizador; no es reportero, tampoco es actor (al dramatizar los hechos), y no se mete entre la gente de forma creible entre los aspirantes a cruzar. A pesar de esto, es una historia interesante para contar: la identidad de uno de los tantos cuerpos encontrados sin vida en la frontera con Arizona. Vale la pena. (Texto intencionalmente sin acentos). Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Gael Garcia Bernal is a brave man. Change these stupid laws. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Who is Dayani Cristal?

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis The attempt to identify human remains found in Arizona's Sonora Desert underscores the plight of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States.
Director
Marc Silver
Producer
Lucas Ochoa, Thomas Benski, Gael García Bernal
Screenwriter
Mark Monroe
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 17, 2017
Runtime
1h 22m