STX Entertainment has released the first trailer for “Desierto,” a thriller from writer-director Jonás Cuarón (“Gravity”) that stars Gael García Bernal and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
What begins as a hopeful journey to seek a better life becomes a harrowing and primal fight for survival when a deranged, rifle-toting vigilante (Morgan) chases a group of unarmed men and women (including Bernal) through the treacherous U.S.-Mexican border. In the harsh, unforgiving desert terrain, the odds are stacked firmly against them as they continuously discover there’s nowhere to hide from the unrelenting, merciless killer.
“Desierto”marks a particularly personal journey in storytelling for writer, director, editor and producer Jonás Cuarón, who spent the last seven years bringing the story of the migrant experience to the screen.
“I took a trip through the U.S. Southwest where I encountered first-hand stories surrounding immigration and the often cruel and violent story of the migrant journey. I was very moved and immediately felt compelled to outline the film — which happened even before writing ‘Gravity.’ I’ve always been very interested in the concept of films like Spielberg’s ‘Duel,’ Konchalovskiy’s ‘Runaway Train’ and Bresson’s ‘A Man Escapes.’ They are non-stop nail biting thrillers with very little dialogue but that at the same time manage to juggle various themes. I was very interested in the drive of these films where the audience connects with the story and character in a very visceral way,” said Jonás Cuarón.
“In ‘Desierto,’ I wanted to create a gripping film that would engage the audience in that same kind of visceral, cathartic experience and also allow them to reflect on this very complicated subject which illuminates the often devastating experience migrants face in the search for a better life. Bringing Gael on board was a no-brainer, not just for his skillful acting but also for the soul I trusted he would bring to the story. I knew that Gael also felt very passionately about issues surrounding immigration and would bring to life the struggle, hope and determination that are the fabric of the migrant story.”
Jonás Cuarón and Mateo García co-wrote the movie, which the director also produced with Alfonso Cuarón, Carlos Cuarón, Alex García and Charles Gillibert.
STX acquired “Desierto” following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it will release the movie on March 4.
Watch the trailer above and let us know in the comments section below what you might do if you were in the same situation as Bernal’s character.