Matthew Heineman, directory of the documentary film "Cartel Land", won the Best Director award at the Sundance Film Festival.
"Cartel Land" is about two vigilante leaders. One of them is Tim “Nailer” Foley of Arizona, but the other is Dr. Jose Mireles of Michoacán. Mireles' group of autodefensas had some success in fighting the Knights Templar narco-terrorists. Instead of giving him a medal, the Mexican government put him in prison. He's still there.
In the words of "DD" at Borderland Beat: "I almost cried when I saw this. I know it will not get him out of prison, but to know he is not being forgotten and that his name and story is being kept in the public eye is heartwarming. This kind of exposure keeps the pressure on the Mexican government to release him from the trumped up charges for which he was imprisoned. With Castillo gone from Michoacan, I believe he will be released in the not too distant future. I hope his health will permit him to be the leader and hero that the people of Mexico so desperately need."
Matthew Heineman talking about his film:
Facebook page for "Cartel Land"
Article in Borderland Beat: Documentary on Dr. Mireles wins awards at Sundance