Free Talks: Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land)

Director Matthew Heineman won audience accolades and the Directing Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival for his powerful documentary Cartel Land, and the film, opening July 3, has continued to impress on the festival circuit and will likely have a presence this coming Awards Season.

Cartel Land is a classic Western set in the 21st century, pitting vigilantes on both sides of the border against the vicious Mexican drug cartels. With unprecedented access, this character-driven film provokes deep questions about lawlessness, the breakdown of order and whether it is just for citizens to take up arms to fight violence with violence. Making a compelling documentary is never easy even under the most “ideal” situations; capturing the war that is right at the doorstep of the U.S. is nothing short of breathtaking.

Free tickets will be distributed at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center box office (144 W. 65th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam) on a first-come, first-served basis starting one hour prior to the talks. Limit one ticket per person, subject to availability.