Tempestad

Filmmaker Tatiana Huezo looks at injustice and corruption in Mexico through the horrific experiences of two women whose lives were destroyed. Miriam Carbajal was a working mother employed at the airport in Cancun when she and several of her colleagues were arrested in March 2010 and accused of aiding an organized crime syndicate involved in human trafficking. After spending 80 days in a holding cell, she was sent to a private prison run by a drug cartel, which extorted money from her family to protect her from physical abuse while she was incarcerated. Midway through the film, the narrative shifts to Adela Alvarado, who worked as a clown in a small circus. Alvarado's 20-year-old university student daughter was kidnapped by a criminal gang that may have included sons of corrupt police officers. Her efforts to force authorities to pursue the kidnappers are met with resistance and extortion demands. But even though her daughter disappeared 10 years earlier, Alvarado refuses to give up the search. A deeply disturbing film featuring case studies that display no regard for human life and dignity, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)