IFWT #18 - El Mariachi (1992)

With an amateur cast, an arsenal of water pistols, a tiny budget, 2 guitars cases and a huge passion for filmmaking, Robert Rodriguez kickstarted his career with El Mariachi. Serving as director, screenwriter, cameraman, composer and cinematographer to name just a few, Rodriguez brings us the story of a lowly guitar player looking for work in a small town whose inhabitants treat him with contempt. His quest is complicated further when a ruthless criminal breaks out of a local jail and comes to town looking to settle a score with a notorious drug Lord.  

This week we’re discussing one of the most popular and influential independent films ever made, and see just how well a film made for less than the price of a second hand Honda Civic has held up 30 years later.