El Puño de Hierro (1927)
El Puño de Hierro [The Iron Fist) was Mexico’s first drug film. In all it was a rather extraordinary work, part surrealist fantasy, part real life indictment of Veracruz’s drug scene.
Marihuana: El Monstruo Verde (1936)
Mexico’s first anti-weed film. Its release coincided with that of Reefer Madness in the United States. It was similarly hysterical.
The Mexican Connection (1972)
In 1972 U.S. documentary film maker Jay Mcmullen spent 6 months in Mexico collecting interviews and stories about the country’s growing drug trade. The documentary made a big impact when it was shown in 1972.
Acapulco Gold (1973)
Part documentary, part feature film, Acapulco Gold tells the story of a gang of college kids who go down to Mexico in search of Acapulco super weed.
Llámenme Mike (1982)
An extraordinary, surreal story of federal police corruption, coke dealing and murder as well as a satire on Mexico’s relationship with the U.S. A forgotten gem.
El Fiscal de Hierro (1989)
There is a thriving Mexican film industry dedicated to telling stories and myths about the drug war. El Fiscal del Hierro tells the true-ish story of PGR tough guy, Salvador del Toro Rosáles, who was sent to Nuevo Laredo in 1971 to take down the Pruneda clan. He did so by murdering traffickers “and also various innocents” as the corrido dedicated to him claims.
Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
Directed by Michael Mann and based on Elaine Shannon’s Desperados, Drug Wars: The Camarena Story told the tale the DEA wanted about Kiki Camarena’s death.
El Infierno (2010)
A brilliant, disturbing satire on the drug war by the Mexican master, Luis Estrada. With a banging narcocorrido soundtrack.