The US-Mexico Cinematic Border Screening the Southbound Movement

Abstract

The dynamic field of borderlands studies, spanning disciplines such as geography, political science, history, economy, demography, and sociology, explores the evolving nature of global borders. This paper contributes to the discourse by focusing on the US–Mexico border, explicitly examining cinematic representations of the southward movement across its expanse. Unlike previous research, which has touched on various aspects of the border, this study delves into the American film industry’s portrayal, unraveling its evolution and impact on the perceptions of the border’s role in US security and national identity. Methodologically, it employs a cinematic analysis to explore representations from western industrialized Tijuana, California, to agricultural southeast Texas. By doing so, this research bridges a gap in the current literature. It sheds light on the transformation of the US–Mexico border from an open boundary to a highly militarized one, offering unique insights into this shift’s geopolitical dynamics and sociocultural implications.