The Passion of María Elena

The Raramuri are an indigenous people who are native to the hills of Sierra Tarahumara in Northwestern Mexico. Maria Elena was a 24-year-old woman of Raramuri heritage whose young son was killed in an incident with a hit and run driver. When the driver of the car refused to accept responsibility for the crime, Elena attempted to bring him to justice through the courts, only to find both the Mexican government and the tribal leaders of the Raramuri working against her. The Passion of Maria Elena is a documentary which examines her determination to make the driver accept responsibility for his actions, as well as her desire to renew her ties with her Raramuri heritage. The Passion of Maria Elena was screened at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. —Rovi