Feature / 89mins / English      USA Mexico, 2005    

The Virgin Of Juarez recounts the story of Karina Danes, a Los Angeles-based reporter investigating the killings of hundreds of young women in the border town of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. While on assignment, Danes meets Mariela, a rare survivor of one of these vicious attacks.  

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During her recovery, Mariela sees visions of the Virgin Mary and experiences the phenomenon of stigmata, the unpredictable and inexplicable appearance of wounds in her palms that mimic those Christ received when he was nailed to the cross. Mariela and her story soon draw a devout following, and her sermons galvanize a public in need of hope.

Who is killing the women of Juarez? This question has been posed by international organizations for the last decade including the human rights group Amnesty International, delegations from US Congress, victim's families and members of the media from around the world. Yet the killings continue.

While "The Virgin of Juarez" does not claim to have the answers, it asks instead what circumstances create such a contrast between good and evil, what hope lies ahead for the powerless among us and even what place does faith have in today's society?