Kingdom of Shadows

With more than 125,000 deaths and tens of billions in unaccounted cash, the costs of the ongoing U.S.-Mexico narco conflict are steep and show no signs of slowing.

Bernardo Ruiz's Kingdom of Shadows/Lo Que Reina En Las Sombras explores the hard choices and destructive consequences of the "drug war." The film weaves together the stories of the U.S. drug enforcement agent at the border; an activist nun in violence-scarred Monterrey, Mexico; and a former Texas smuggler to reveal the human side of an often misunderstood conflict and human rights crisis only recently making international headlines. Ruiz, a citizen of both Mexico and the U.S., has an eye for beauty and a deep respect for its people, which stand in stark contrast to the daily horrors that have overtaken the region.

Join New America NYC and the Drug Policy Alliance for a screening of Kingdom of Shadows and a conversation with the film's director, journalists, and key policy experts on the stalemate that allows the violence to continue unimpeded.

Follow the discussion online using #KingdomofShadows and by following @KingdomShadows and @NewAmericaNYC.

PARTICIPANTS

Introduction:
Beth Dembitzer
Curator, Social Cinema@New America
@bethdembitzer

Participants:
Bernardo Ruiz
Writer, Director, and Producer, Kingdom of Shadows
@bernardoruizcom

Michael Massing
Journalist and Author, The Fix
MacArthur Fellow
@mmassing

Kassandra Frederique
Director, New York Policy Office, Drug Policy Alliance
@Kassandra_Fred

Jerónimo Saldaña
National Legislative and Organizing Coordinator, Drug Policy Alliance
@JeronimoSaldana

James McKinley, Jr.
Reporter and former Mexico City Bureau Chief, The New York Times
@jamesmckinleyjr