Like fellow Texan Richard Linklater, Robert Rodriguez shot his debut on a tiny budget (reputedly just $7,000), making savings by taking on the roles of director, writer, cinematographer, and editor, as well as joining the sound, visual effects, and music departments.

El Mariachi sees an aspiring musician drawn by a case of mistaken identity into a ruthless criminal and assassin’s plan for revenge against the drug lord whose betrayal saw him incarcerated. Despite its sometimes obvious financial shortcomings, this is an energetically and inventively violent film that led Rodriguez to like-minded filmmaker Tarantino, with whom he has since regularly collaborated.

Notes by Kevin Coyne.

Screening as part of the American Independents season.