Who is Dayani Cristal?

2013

1h 22m

Documentary

List

80%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

The attempt to identify human remains found in Arizona's Sonora Desert underscores the plight of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States.

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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 sueÃ±o 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

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Marc Silver

Director

Gael García Bernal

Actor

Charles Harding

Actor

Lorena Quevedo

Actor

Mark Monroe

Screenwriter

Lucas Ochoa

Producer

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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

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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
Screenwriter: Mark Monroe
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2017
Runtime: 1h 22m

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