MovieChat Forums > Borderland (2009) Discussion > Dont believe it's true

Dont believe it's true

posted 16 years ago by utcreed
61 replies | jump to latest

I think its a marketing stunt to draw audiences. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre isn't true which was marketed as such. It never happened in texas. It was based on Ed gein who murdered women in Wisconsin. He worked alone not with a degenerate family. Being from texas i have never heard about this cult. I've heard about the Juarez murders. I heard about drug cartels killing mexican kids, gutting them, filling there bodies with drugs and carrying them across the mexican-us border by pretending they were sleeping. If it's true anybody have names, dates, and/or newspaper articles?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] zpberman-2 16 years ago

<Sigh> Ye of little faith.

As the film's director, I can say definitively that it did indeed happen. I was on the border in 1989, traveling across the country with my buddies at the time. We had just come from New Orleans, where we had collected all these cool Voodoo trinkets, and we made the mistake of decorating our VW bus with them. As we crossed the border, we ran smack into the Mexican army, toting machine guns. They forced us out of our bus and demanded to know if we were 'satanicos'. We managed to convince them that we weren't. Turns out they were all down there looking for a Texas college student who had vanished while partying with his buddies. The resulting investigation turned up a drug cartel that had gotten involved in the occult. They were sacrificing victims to protect their drug operation. Crazy, I know, but this is the world we are living in.

Wanna research it? Don't take my word for it. Read what the Crime Library has to say.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/weird/constanzo/1.html

I followed the emerging case when I got back home, and it just got worse and worse. My main feeling was, 'Wow, that coulda been me.' Years later, there was a lot I thought I could say by telling this story, and I made a movie about it.

I told Lion's Gate when we started this process that we needed to wage a campaign to remind people that this did indeed happen. I don't blame you, utcreed, for being suspicious. Who wouldn't be? The words 'Based on a true story' are virtually meaningless these days. In my case, it's all true. I was there.

I even made a half hour documentary about it. It's going to be a special feature on the DVD. We have footage from the original investigation that no one has ever seen before. Keep your eyes open for it.

Z

[–] Lilith7337 16 years ago

Sorry I started a new thread about the Crime Library link without realizing you had already posted it. I live 20 minutes away from the border town that it happened. It was crazy hearing about it and living in fear knowing that it was so close to home. Indeed this happened and I'm glad someone finally made a movie out of it so people can know how crazy this world is!

[–] zpberman-2 16 years ago

I certainly share some of your feelings. Our world is an insane one, and that's part of what drove me to make the movie. However rather than point fingers across the Border, I'd rather explore the idea that it's human beings who have gone mad. The monster is us, and it's not necessarily out there some where.

The Border is a fascinating environment, full of shifting rules, traditions, cultures, and even radical agendas. Borderland as a title was meant to suggest a title like Chinatown. A place where you nver quite know the score.

Come check it out on the 9th.

Z

[–] Lilith7337 16 years ago

This is true I honestly do believe it's people in general rather than the area. I'm a big believer that the way a person is raised has a big effect on the future. I love going across the border for the day and spending it gift shopping and eating some of the best food ever. I love doing that on the weekends and well I can't complain on getting bottles of liquor for 8 bucks! It's home and I love it but of course there are always precautions to take every time we do visit.

Actually, recently I visited and the place was surrounded by solders. Usually there's regular cops but from what I hear they bring solders in whenever there's something going on or they get a tip about trafficking. I had never seen that before and I just kinda kept to myself and not try to make eye contact lol! I can't wait to see the movie, I did enjoy Horrorfest last year and can't wait for this time around. I've already told friends around here about this movie and since it's so close to home we can't wait to see! Thanks!

[–] Defenseman13 14 years ago

Not only is it real, it's not even that bad compared to other things going on down there.

San Diego just lost one of our school board counselors. He was dragged out of a bar in the middle of town and executed in the streets, in a small town that he had been doing charitable work in.

This stuff is happening, believe it.

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/01/execution-of-popular-school-board.html

http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2339870/

[–] gmsmith101 16 years ago

I like the title. A name like, "Borderland," is full of mystery and the unknown, and it reminds me of the story of crossroads legends, with all those enigmatic qualities.

I'm waiting for the film to arrive, so I can't comment on it, but I've read about the case, and it's a genuine horror story, for sure. I'm sure that your work did the story justice.

[–] bloodyfishstick 16 years ago

Wow your the director! Props to you man. I grew up in McAllen, Tx in the 80's and have always been fasinated by these murders. I remember when the news was saying the cult was on the loose and was gonna abduct kids and kill them, I was in 3rd grade and me along with many other kids got taking out of class because of this. A good source for info is a book called Cauldron Of Blood: The Matamoros Cult Killings by: Jim Schutze, damn good book about this. I'm so excited someone has the guts to tell this story cause its not just the killings that are disturbing, the murders was just the begginning. Its the actual rituals that freak me out. Once again Props to the director and I can't wait to see this film friday at horror fest! BTW its playing at a drive in this year! Perfect!

[–] zpberman-2 16 years ago

My god, man, you just made my day. Next to the Alamo Draft House in Austin, a drive in would be my perfect venue of choice! Now I can die a happy man.

[–] wgartside 16 years ago

zpberman-2,

I just saw Borderland at my local theater as part of Horrorfest, and I have to say it was extremely well done - easily the best film at the event this year. Nice work. Any chance the film will get a wide release before hitting DVD?

[–] deltoro 16 years ago

zpberman-2,

I was working from home this weekend and decided to rent some movies. I came across this movie at the video store. I read the back and the I immediately knew what it was about. Good job on the film. I know that it was based on true events. I still remember when this happened, I was in the 9th grade in High School here in Houston, TX. For some odd reason, back in high school I used to love watching the 10 o'clock news right before I went to bed. I still remember the initial reports about the UT student from a town close to Houston named Santa Fe, TX was missing. It was in March of that year I think. Then exactly a month later, almost to the day, they reported that the mystery was over. The investigation of this missing UT student led the Matamoros (actual border town where it happened) authorities to the responsible culprits and they confessed to EVERYTHING! They sang like canaries and told the police about everything they did and the mass grave of previous victims, mainly missing locals. The police gathered the remains of different victims in a room at a local morgue. Relatives of missing persons came and were being interviewed with pictures of missing loved ones. Then, get this... one of the coroners held up this student's scalp and identified it as belonging to him!!! ON TELEVISION!!! IT WAS CREEPY!!! At the time the story was so huge that I remember reporters from as far as Australia and Japan came down to get the story. I also remember that they canceled a scheduled airing of a movie called "The Believers" at a local TV station due to the content of this movie being closely related to what happened in Matamoros. You can look up this movie on this great website. It starred Martin Sheen. I'll never forget this!

When is the documentary coming out? I can't wait to see it!

-hrfister

[–] smokehill retrievers 16 years ago

Congratulations for getting this on film. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

I remember the case well, and it was just one of many reasons I never had any interest in visiting Mexico. I'm not especially nervous or paranoid (I spent 21 years in the Army), but the openly-tolerated practice of kidnapping tourists and holding them for ransom -- both by entrepreneurs and the police -- kept me out of the place. I had friends in California Congressmen's offices that spent a great deal of their time working with some really tragic cases, and I figured this was one country I didn't need to visit for the cultural experience ... not that it's particularly different from parts of L.A., anyhow.

This case just reinforced my disinclination to go south on vacation.

There is very little in horror fiction that isn't surpassed by some of the horrors people visit on their fellow man -- a fairly depressing thought, but one we should bear in mind nonetheless, and try to make reasonably intelligent, informed choices in the chances we take every day.

This film needed to be made. Thanks!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] unclemike1 16 years ago

Zev,

I just saw this as part of "Horrorfest" and it creeped me the hell out. My fave flick out of all 8 shown, kudos to you and the cast and crew (and a special congrats to Sean Astin for his skeevy character). Can't wait to see your next movie!

[–] underoath52490 16 years ago

can't wait for the DVD, hope it's packed with goodies. Is the DVD going to be the movie that's in the theaters now, or will there be an extended/unrated verison?

[–] zpberman-2 16 years ago

Lions Gate will most likely release an unrated version, since our initial tussle with the MPAA came back NC-17.

The DVD will have a 30 minute documentary I produced, where I went back to Texas and interviewed George Gavito, the former Deputy Sheriff who coordinated the case back in 89. We got some footage of the original investigation that's never been seen by the general public.

Stay tuned.

[–] meskhitz 16 years ago

and yet you turned that incredible story into this piece of garbage?

[–] solitaire777 15 years ago

Hey Z-man,

Don't give another thought to ppl like utcreed. They feel it is their sole responsibility in life to discredit everyone and everything that does not fit into their world. It's a shame but the world is full of them. The psych wards are full of them but even worse, they are just out there - proud of their destiny to be a huge thorn in as many sides as possible before they leave this life.

You did a great job exposing the truth - something that should be done more often. The truth is definitely more interesting than fiction in a lot of cases. And, sadly, much more frightening. As a nurse, I could spend the rest of my life making movies on real life events that I have seen, heard about or been a part of the treatment in the aftermath. Most ppl would discredit them all.

Regards,

Angel

[–] farcoat 15 years ago

i love your work

[–] RomeoKnight 11 years ago

I definitely believe its true. I've read so many times in news about the cartel killings and leaving the bodies hanged to some bridge. Just recently, in the news, there was a 13 year old contract killer who had chopped heads from four people. So I definitely believe Mexico is crazy and violent place with full of corruption.

Good movie though although a bit nasty with the gore.

[–] Sally_Hardesty 16 years ago

Sadly it's true. I read a couple of books about the case shortly after it happened. Mark Kilroy was my age and it sure changed my attitude about going to Mexico to party. So many drunken weekends in Acuna, Matamoros, Nueva Laredo, Juarez... It could've just as easily been me or one of my friends.

[–] mikeangel81 16 years ago

it is true. im assuming its based on the Mark Kilroy incident.
i live like..5 minutes away from the border of where it happened in Matamoros.

"LOVES IT BITCH!"

[–] picker4693 16 years ago

You know I'm curious how this is going to play here in Brownsville. I'm even more curious how it's going to play in Matamoros if it becomes distributed in Mexico.

[–] jody-dean 16 years ago

It wasn't Juarez. It was Matamoros, in 1989. Google "rancho santa elena". It was a cult involving palo mayombe, which is still practiced by many latin drug gangs - and a man named Adolpho Constanzo. And for once, the movie doesn't approach the reality.

[–] kellydepesto 16 years ago

I am from Texas and as a child I was terrified when my mother told me about these kids disappearing, sort of a spring break horror story. She was very serious about us not wandering around after dark, a warning because we lived less than 10 miles from the Mexico border. I know my parents wouldn't blow smoke about something like that. Why would they want to frighten their children with a tall tale? Years later I was watching "American Justice" or something like that and they basically told the exact same incident that my folks had told me as a kid. This is very much true. I'm sure the movie will make it their own, but this really did happen.

[–] lunchmoneyjenkins 16 years ago

yeah i saw a documentery on tv about it . they found a bunch of bodies buried in the farm where they were doing the killing. i thik they caught the main guy in brazil or something.

"promise me you'll never go bunji jumping in mexico"

[–] jasbond25-1 16 years ago

zpberman, your the man for makin this movie. Ballsy but necessary and I can't wait to see it. Oh, and if you ever need a no name actor like myself to get his throat slit, smashed by a car, decapitated, "chainsawed", etc I'm your man! I've always wanted to die in a film and I'd do it for free! Let me know! :-) Congrats on the movie

[–] sandman_54301 16 years ago

I agree, it has been getting some major word of mouth. I am going to see it later this evening, and I can't wait!!!!

zpberman, it's so cool of you to talk to people on these boards about your film. And I'm glad that you are patient with the naysayers. Some times, it's alot easier to dismiss something this bizarre and horrific, because we don't want to accept that people are capable of these kinds of things. I live in Wisconsin, and there are people who still refuse to believe the facts about Ed Gein and Jeffrey Dahmer.

I look forward to this film, as so far it looks like the favorite of the After Dark Horrorfest 2007. This one and Frontiers were the only ones I was really super excited to see, and since Frontiers got dropped, you might be the director of the audience favorite for this year, mister zpberman.

I will post my thoughts on the film when I return.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Cris47 16 years ago

All you have to do is google certain names "Mark Kilroy" -- the college student who was killed and started the search that led officials to his body on (another google term) "Rancho Santa Elena". For those of us who grew up in the area (I live in Brownsville - the Texas Border town closest to Matamoros, Mexico), the memories of the hunt are still fresh even 20 years later. But, it's up to you to believe. Some simple research can be done.

PS- I don't know the director, nor do I plan on watching the movie.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] prettyboysayain 16 years ago

Nice shrooming scene, director!

Now i dont need drugs to feel high...my family thanks you

[–] lizzyn2002 16 years ago

well green, what on earth does it take to convince you anything has ever happened?? i think youre asking for an unreasonable amount of evidence, and its a bit unfair of you accusing the director of lying. and why exactly would the government comply in a big conspiracy lie to promote a movie? i doubt this happened word for word with 3 guys named ed henry and phil, but if you think about it this story is sadly beyond feasible. even if it didnt have a "based on a true story" tag i would believe that this kind of crazy crap has happened. we live in a depraved world, and what makes this film so scary to me is how believable it is.

Here lies Dobby, a Free Elf.
Chuck Norris' boggart is Neville Longbottom.

[–] tiny_elvis 16 years ago

You're an ass. I have no affiliation with anybody making this movie: I just stumbled on it. In fact I haven't yet seen it, but I grew up in Brownsville, Texas and was there when this happened. Everyone kept calling it the Satanic Cult murders but many people believe that it had more to do with drugs. I also haven't seen a red cent for this post. I just thought that it was funny as hell that you would actually state that opinion when you're dead facking wrong. Laughing my ass off at ya buddy. You were in front of a computer with internet access when you posted and rather than google it you just set yourself up as some kind of expert. Unfortunately you placed yourself in the stupid category.

For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius.

[–] steelplate-1 16 years ago

Congradulations Green 57, on the dumbest post I have ever seen, anywhere!

[–] TwoMushrooms 16 years ago

Yeah genius... just as you say, Texas Chainsaw Massacre was BASED on the story of Ed Gein... so was this movie BASED on actual events. The movie clearly states "Based on a true story", not an actual re-telling of the true story.

"It´s not the dress that makes you look fat, it´s the fat that makes you look fat."

[–] hrfister 16 years ago

[–] lstnsublime 16 years ago

I haven't watched the movie yet but I can tell you that an event like that happened. It's the Mark Kilroy story from 1989. I read a book about it when I was younger. I don't remember the name but I'm pretty sure it was written by a forensic pathologist and was extremely graphic.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] skeptic8000 16 years ago

Let's not forget that although the theme in which the movie is based on is correct in that a college student (based loosely off of Mark Kilroy) was indeed sacrificed by a drug smuggling cult (based off of Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo's cult), many of the details and elements of the storyline from the movie involved a creative re-interpretation of the original case. So in other words, the movie is not a complete historical piece that details everything that actually happened accurately; it is a story complete with all of the gory violence, over-exaggerations, and liberal extrapolations of actual events that are typical of most Hollywood films.

[–] thegirl548 16 years ago

perfecto

[–] mdeaglin 16 years ago

I just saw this on DVD and the extras on the DVD from the director. I do not post to ANYTHING nor do I like really, really graphic horror movies. This movie was great.

I was in high school in San Antonio, Texas when they discovered the cult killings in Matamoras. I remember going down to South Padre/Matamoras the year after all that happened and was still scared.

The advice everyone told us was to stay on the lighted streets (which was only the main drag). Don't even think of going down a dark alley way to go pee or anything. I remember them telling us that was how they found and abducted their victims.

This is a fictionalized account of a true story. You can't have this many people posting telling you this really happened and everyone be wrong or making it up.

How are you from Texas and never heard of this story? Were you even there in 89-90? EVERYBODY went to spring break in South Padre and went to Matamoras. I don't know anybody who was there at the time who did not hear about these killings.

Way to go, Zev. I am a new fan.