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The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
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Synopsis
Veteran screen star Tommy Lee Jones makes his directorial debut with the fractured tale of murder and injustice on the U.S.-Mexico border scripted by Amores perros and 21 Grams screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga. Mike Norton (Barry Pepper) is a fresh-faced Border Patrol officer in Cibolo County, Texas whose dedication to his new job leaves his lonely wife Lou Ann (January Jones) with little to do but spend her days at the local diner, where she strikes up a friendship with waitress Rachel (Melissa Leo). Despite her own status as a married woman, Rachel is unfulfilled in her marriage and is intimately involved with both rugged rancher Pete Perkins (Tommy Lee Jones) and local Sherrif Belmont (Dwight Yoakam). Soon after Pete hires Mexican illegal Melquiades Estrada (Julio Cesar Cedillo) as a ranch hand, the growing bond between the pair is suddenly shattered when, in a moment of panic on a routine patrol, Mike hastily guns down the innocent Melquaides. When an enraged Pete learns that Mike had unceremoniously buried the illegal immigrant in an unmarked desert grave and local authorities opt to overlook the case, he kidnaps the crooked lawman and sets out to ensure that justice is served with or without the involvement of the local police force. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Cast

Levon Helm Old Man With Radio
Tommy Lee Jones Pete Perkins
Melissa Leo Rachel
Dwight Yoakam Belmont
Dwight Yoakam Sheriff Frank Belmont
Julio Cedillo Melquiades Estrada
Ignacio Guadalupe Lucio
Barry Pepper Mike Norton
Cecilia Suarez Rosa
Vanessa Bauche Mariana
January Jones Lou Ann Norton
Melvin Rodriguez Captain Gomez

Production Crew

Larry Madaras Additional Editing
Jeff Knipp Art Director
Duane Manwiller Camera Operator
Jeanne McCarthy Casting
Jo Edna Boldin Casting
Manuel Teil Casting
Chris Menges Cinematographer
Hector Ortega Cinematographer
Marco Beltrami Composer (Music Score)
Pete Anthony Conductor
Kathy Kiatta Costume Designer
LeAnn Radeka Costume/Wardrobe
Anna Abbey Costumes Supervisor
Rocio Ceja Costumes Supervisor
Jennie Baker Department Head Hair
John Blake Department Head Makeup
Tommy Lee Jones Director
Roberto Silvi Editor
Philip Hardage First Assistant Director
Rene Villarreal First Assistant Director
Robert A. Baumgartner Gaffer
Sergio Suaste Gaffer
Al Laverde Key Grip
Eric Austin Williams Line Producer
John K. Patterson Location Manager
Lily Flashner Location Manager
Richard Snell Makeup
Joel Harlow Makeup Special Effects
Rob Hinderstein Makeup Special Effects
Annette Fradera Musical Direction/Supervision
Jerome Lateur Musical Direction/Supervision
Larry Madaras Post Production Supervisor
Luc Besson Producer
Michael Fitzgerald Producer
Michael Fitzgerald Producer
Pierre-Ange Le Pogam Producer
Tommy Lee Jones Producer
Cecilia Monterrubio Production Accountant
Steve Beeson Production Accountant
Merideth Boswell Production Designer
Antonio Diego Production Sound Mixer
Eric Bassoff Production Supervisor
Byron Thomas Properties Master
Dominique Hennequin Re-Recording Mixer
Guillermo Arriaga Screenwriter
Ana Rebuelta Script Supervisor
Pam Fuller Script Supervisor
Kathleen Tull Second Assistant Director
Phil Shirey Set Decorator
Robert Fitzgerald Sound Effects Editor
Mark Weingarten Sound Mixer
Mark Weingarten Sound/Sound Designer
Jeffery D. Woodrel Special Effects Coordinator
Cliff Happy Stunts Coordinator
David Bach Supervising Sound Editor
Jimmy Zelinger Title Design
Pacific Title & Art Studio Title Design
Eric Austin Williams Unit Production Manager
Héctor López L. Unit Production Manager
John Johns Video Playback
Year: 2005
Runtime: 121
Country: France
MPAA Rating: R
for language, violence and sexuality
Category: Feature

Genre
Western

Produced by
EuropaCorp
Javelina Film Company

Release
December 14, 2005 (USA - Limited)
by Optimum Releasing
Sony Pictures Classics

Awards
2005 - Best Picture - Independent Spirit Award
2005 - Top Ten Film - Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Associati
2005 - Best Picture - Independent Spirit Awards
2005 - Top Ten Film - Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics Associat