The Golden Cage

Thought-provoking and enthralling drama about three teens from Guatemala escaping to the US with some dollars strapped to their legs, and the hope of a better life. In each phase of the journey, they meet increasingly difficult challenges that seem increasingly insurmountable. In addition to being a thrilling road-movie, the film gives a close and intimate portrait of children in flight, and the non-professional actors do an impressive job. Spanish director Diego Quemeda-Diez has made a piece of social realism that is more than worthy of Ken Loach, the master of the genre. kt

Diego Quemeda-Diez (b. 1969) started his film career as a camera assistant for British director Ken Loach. As a cameraman, he has worked on films such as 21 Grams (2003, Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu) and The Constant Gardener (2005, Fernando Meirelles). He has also published the poetry collection I Dreamt I Found My Octogonal Room (2013).