The thought provoking film, SLEEP DEALER, brings us to the not so distant future of relations between Mexico and the United States. The world is completely militarized, borders are closed and a troublingly evolved internet sells memories-not blogs. Amusing and disturbing at the same time; the TV broadcasts U.S. fighter pilots as they control drones to blow up suspected terrorists while the public watch with the same oblivious fervor that they now watch American Idol. The highly imaginative brainchild of director/writer Alex Rivera, SLEEP DEALER depicts a completely globalized social infrastructure and tackles the immigration issue with a refreshing dose of satire.
Rivera imagines a world where one must have “nodes” surgically implanted in order to “plug in” to the system. With this node technology the United States successfully secures the border and ensures that Americans will still benefit from the cheap labor that immigrants provide. Virtual labor can build skyscrapers and even babysit via the many “plugged in” Mexicans working hard by controlling robots in high-tech maquiladoras.
The story follows Memo (Luis Fernando Peña), a young man from a small village in Santa Ana del Rio, Oaxaca. His village has fallen victim to an American water company which has built a dam and now controls its way of life. Memo, unmoved by his father’s struggle to keep traditions alive, builds a radio to listen in on the fast life which eludes him. His fascination with becoming plugged in to the world beyond Santa Ana del Rio brings tragedy to his family. Nearly broken, Memo leaves to seek his fortune in Tijuana. There he meets a beautiful young writer, Luz (Leonor Varela) who unwittingly sells his story to interested parties through her memories. From here the movie intertwines three people’s lives looking to feel something real in a world that is increasingly desensitized.
Rivera succeeds in creating a Sci-Fiction film on an independent budget which conveys a deep social message. Although the film moves slowly at times and the third character could’ve been fleshed out a little further; I loved the special attention to detail which some reviewers may have overlooked or dismissed as things unable to be perfected due to an insufficient budget. For instance, in the computer generated scenes of modern day America, everything is futuristic and sleek whereas Mexico looks virtually the same save for the node bars, high-tech maquiladoras and occasional flat-screen television. Reality is this is exactly how it would be. I also must mention that the CGI and special effects in this film are remarkable considering that it is independent. Smart, imaginative and profound, SLEEP DEALER, is must see for all the Sci-fi heads out there and anyone who loves a good story.
http://www.sleepdealer.com/Landing.html
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