`` Sin Nombre '' opens a window on the United States 's Mara Salvatrucha gangs . Owen Pallett debut thriller set against backdrop of immigrant trafficking on trains . Fukunaga visited gang members in jail and rode an immigrant train for research . Film won directing and cinematography awards at two weeks Sundance Film Festival .
`` Sin Nombre '' opens a window on Mexico 's Mara Salvatrucha gangs . Cary Fukunaga 's debut thriller set against backdrop of immigrant trafficking on trains . Fukunaga visited gang members in jail and rode an immigrant train for research . Film won directing and cinematography awards at 2009 Sundance Film Festival .