The Secret of the River

At my age, 76 it seems the world has changed tremendously.  I am reminded of Stephen R.Covey's fifth rule: "Seek first to understand and then to be understood".  Mexico has produced a film series that portrays a mystery involving sex identity.  So there are no surprises it hinges on the third gender.  Certainly there is a plot with a murder/manslaughter, paternity mystery but it revolves around gender issues.

We are first introduced to two young boys  Manuel and Erik who don't share a lot of common interests, but somehow become friends.  This takes part in Oaxcan, Mexico.  Manuel comes across some individuals known as Muex that think of themselves as neither men or women.  In truth they really do exist and have for a long time notably in Zapotec speaking area of Oaxcan.  Some are transgender while others are more transvestites.

Manuel feels "different" and we see him indulging in some activites regarded as feminine.  Nonetheless they remain friends especially bonding after sharing a serious crisis.  A young girl Paulina who father is a police officer also becomes close to both boys and plays a role as an adult.

The second part of the series occurs 20 years later and Manuel has transitioned to a woman who calls herself Sicuru.  

It takes a lot of talent to bring such a series as "The Secret of the River" into being.  Here are some of the key people.  

Alberto Barrera, one of the writers is credited with creating the idea.  He is from Venezuela and started his film career there.  He has 18 credits as a writer and one for directing.

Ernesto Contreras was the main director.   He has won a few awards including one from the Sundance Film Festival.  He has 26 credits as a director, 12 as producer and 8 as an editor including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/06/where-tracks-end.html

Gus Reyes was responsible for much of the music.  He got an early start with a number of choirs, rising to a soloist.  There are some beautiful choral pieces in the series.  He has 97 composing credits and 12 for the music department including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Cesar Gutierrez Miranda was the cinematographer.  He has 44 cinematography credits, 4 for directing and 4 for writing. 

Jorge Macaya helped with the editing.  He has 57 credits for editing, 8 for the editorial department and 1 for directing including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Trinidad Gonzales plays the grownup Manuel who is known as Sicuru.  She grew up in Mexico as a boy, but from an early age was attracted to fashion.  Moving to Mexico City Trinidad began modeling and sometime after moved to London and finished transitioning to a female.  Moving back to Mexico modeling assignments were difficult, but shown the script decided to take on an intense acting program and accepted the role of Sicuru.

Diego Calva played the adult Erik.  He has 23 credits as an actor, 2 credits for producing and 1 for assistant director.  He once starred with Brad Pitt and Margo Robbie in "Babylon" (2022).

Mauro Guzman played the youthful Erik in the first four episodes and in flashback for the final four episodes to critical praise. He has 2 film credits.

Frida Sofia Cruz Salinas played the youthful Manuel even though a girl.  She has 3 credits including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Mercedes Hernandez played Rafaela, the grandmother of Manuel.  She established herself on stage (25 plas) and as a cabaret performer and for oral story telling.  She has 38 acting credits including "La Gran Seduccion" (2023).

La Bruja de Texcoco, a muex payed Solange, the key muex.  (S)he has 3 acting credits.

Jorge A. Jimenez played Jacinto, a homophobic father of Erik.  He has 46 acting credits, 1 as a producer and 1 as a writer.

Jero Medina played Braulio, the sympathetic father of Paulina.  He has 21 acting credits including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Yoshira Escarrega played the adult Paulina.  She has 17 acting credits.

For those who would like to understand a little better a section of misunderstood part of our population.  It is available subtitled and dubbed on Netflix.  If more people could watch such series without getting overly queasy we might not have had to put up with Donald Trump who loves to stir up bigotry

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.