With all of the negativity and tragedy in the news lately, the last thing one wants to think about is another face of evil, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the ugly truths that are life’s reality. This time, evilness comes in the form of rampant drug cartels in Mexico, whose utter disregard for human life is traumatizing it’s own citizens. Kingdom of Shadows is a documentary that profiles three individuals trying to live among the corruption from Mexico’s devastated city of Monterrey. Innocent people are dying and fingers are pointing blame in all directions, but one thing is made crystal clear- drugs in Mexico present a real problem and they come with deadly consequences.
The three people we follow through the film have all been personally affected by this ongoing war against drugs. Sister Consuelo Morales defiantly takes on the Mexican government in her quest for answers to support of the families whose loved ones have gone “missing”. She acts as voice for the victims who believe the police and state officials know more than they are letting on. The second man is Don Henry Ford Jr., a rancher from Texas who was once a prominent marijuana smuggler. He crossed the Texas/Mexico border numerous times until he was eventually caught and jailed. He recounts his days of working for top Mexican drug lords as well as his regrets on the direction his life has gone.
However, director Bernardo Ruiz’s documentary, much like this issue, cannot be ignored.
The third person, and by far the most interesting, is Oscar Hagelsieb. Once an undercover agent, Oscar, now a senior Homeland Security Officer, talks about his close encounters with smugglers and the daily fear for his safety and the safety of his family. Recovered video footage of his undercover work is so riveting, it is nearly impossible to look away.
Kingdom of Shadows is heavy handed, especially with its unfortunate release at a time when war and terror is an extremely sensitive subject. However, director Bernardo Ruiz’s documentary, much like this issue, cannot be ignored. This is a country where mass graves are multiplying by the day and hundreds of innocent people are “disappearing”. Kingdom of Shadows may not have the answers to solve the problem it presents onscreen, but educating viewers is the first step. There have been films before Shadows, like Cartel Land and Narco Cultura, and there will be more to come. Unfortunately, the subject matter in this film is becoming much too similar.
Kingdom of Shadows opens at the Downtown Independent in Downtown L.A., Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, and on VOD this Friday.
