Greetings again from the darkness - from the Dallas International Film Festival. Even in this digital age where information exists from all sides of a conflict … often with corresponding video, the general public somehow remains complacent to issues that don't directly and obviously affect their lifestyle. Skilled documentarian Matthew Heineman ignores the rhetoric of political speeches and plops the war against drug cartels right into our lap.

This is a different approach to a topic with which we are all at least somewhat familiar. The involved parties include the affected communities (in Mexico and Arizona),the governments and affiliated agencies (DEA, Border Patrol),the ever-expanding vigilante groups of citizens (Arizona Border Recon, AutoDefensas),and of course the cartels (focus on Knights Templar).

Intimacy is the key here, as Mr. Heineman takes us inside these groups with an up-close look at leaders. Especially fascinating is Dr. Mireles who is the face of the AutoDefensas – a group he pledges will protect communities from the cartels, who clearly have no regard for human life. The film doesn't shy away from the expected issues: citizen pushback, greed, abuse of power, and corruption. As AutoDefensas teams with the Mexican government to create the Rural Defense Force, we can't help but wonder if the rumors of differing goals are at play in the drug battles. Citizens want safety, but what is it that the government wants? Is the goal drug-free streets or is it a cut of the action.

Learning how desperate the vigilantes are to protect their homes, turf and way of life, we are left with little doubt of their mission. It's everyone else that we must keep questioning and holding accountable. This is not an easy documentary to watch, but it's necessary if you have previously lost interest as the next politician proclaims he will continue "the war on drugs".

Filmmaker Matthew Heineman follows the stories of two men on either side of the border trying to take on the drug cartels. Tim Nailer Foley helps form the vigilante group Arizona Border Recon with other like-minded survivalist militiamen. He was an abused child, a drug addict, an unemployed drifter, and a father. In the state of Michoacan, José Manuel Mireles is a doctor and gets involved in a self-defense group battling the Knights Templar Cartel. He would lead the Autodefensas which would end in his downfall.

Mireles' story is a Greek tragedy of cinematic proportions. I can't wait for somebody to put his life on the big screen. Nailer is a fascinating character although I keep thinking that there is more to his story. There is no doubt that these participants are not going to show every wart. That's why it's so shocking that the filmmakers are able to get so much Autodefensas abuse of power. This is both eye-opening and compelling which all documentaries aspire to be.

The Mexican side of this documentary is more than intriguing. What people go through is incredible. The patrol they created to fight against crime is something that most people probably stand behind and support too. The Arizona patrol on the other hand? A whole different beast (quite literally, especially considering the views they express and because it's not the same situation as across the border).

Having said that, and if you are able to judge on your own and not take some things that are being said as more than they are: there is a real tension that builds up and even concerns families, bullying and trying to bring order where order is not wanted by the government (at least the current government in Mexico that is). And that's the thing: While the documentary takes a stance against drug and criminality, it almost embraces racism on the other hand ... either stay neutral or really make a good point