Foreign Land (2016)
A gripping border drama about two unlikely strangers thrust into the dangers of Tijuana after deportation and circumstance collide.
Foreign Land - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Rafi Girgis
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: English
Foreign Land - Plot
Life changed for Alejandro Reis — Alex — in just a few brief moments when he discovers that he is not an American citizen. His parents brought him across the Mexican border when he was just months old. Flora Hendricks, on the other hand is born in Missouri. She decides to run away from home. Alex finds himself deported to Mexico. On a seeming parallel track, Flora is arrested for shoplifting and put in the same deportation bus with Alex. Once on Mexican soil, Alex and Flora find out quickly that they are way out of their depth. They learn quickly that Tijuana and most of the other border towns are ultra violent places that are overrun by dangerous, warring criminal factions.
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Foreign Land - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rafi Girgis
Main Cast
- Jeffrey Licon
- Alex Frnka
- Peter Holden
- Art Bonilla
- Julien Cesario
- Sandra Santiago
- Elpidia Carrillo
Writers
- Rafi Girgis
- Peter Allen
Foreign Land - FAQs
What is Foreign Land about?
Foreign Land follows Alex, a young man who discovers he was brought to the US illegally as an infant and is subsequently deported to Mexico. On the same bus is Flora, a Missouri runaway arrested for shoplifting. Thrust together in Tijuana, the two must survive a world overrun by dangerous criminal factions.
Does Foreign Land have a happy ending?
Foreign Land leans into gritty realism rather than feel-good resolution. The film doesn't shy away from the harsh consequences of life on the border, so viewers expecting a tidy, uplifting conclusion may find the ending sobering. It prioritizes authenticity over comfort, which gives the story its emotional weight.
Where can you stream Foreign Land online?
You can watch Foreign Land for free on Tubi TV, YouTube Free, FlixHouse, Plex, and Plex Channel. If you prefer to own or rent it, it's available on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
How does Alex find out he is undocumented?
Alex's world is upended in just a few brief moments when he discovers his parents carried him across the Mexican border as an infant. He grew up believing he was an American citizen, so the revelation hits without warning — and the consequences follow almost immediately, setting the entire story in motion.
Who are the main actors in Foreign Land?
The film stars Jeffrey Licon as Alex and Alex Frnka as Flora, the two leads navigating life on the border. They're supported by Peter Holden, Art Bonilla, Julien Cesario, Sandra Santiago, and veteran actress Elpidia Carrillo, who brings considerable gravitas to the ensemble.
Is Foreign Land based on a true story?
Foreign Land is not based on a single documented true story, but its premise draws from very real circumstances — the experience of undocumented immigrants who grew up in the US and face sudden deportation. The border violence depicted reflects documented realities of life in Tijuana and other Mexican border towns.
Who directed and wrote Foreign Land?
Rafi Girgis directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Peter Allen. Girgis also serves as a writer, giving the project a strong singular creative vision. The collaboration between Girgis and Allen shaped both the story's social urgency and its character-driven emotional core.
What movies are similar to Foreign Land?
If Foreign Land resonated with you, check out Frontera (2014) and El Chicano (2019) for more border-set drama, or Night of the Sicario (2021) for cartel-related tension. Farming (2018) and The Nest (2020) also explore identity and displacement themes in compelling ways.
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