Cartel Land
Synopsis
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, Dr. Jose Mireles, a small-town physician known as "El Doctor," shepherds a citizen uprising against the Knights Templar, the violent drug cartel that has wreaked havoc on the region for years. Meanwhile, in Arizona's Altar Valley—a narrow, 52-mile-long desert corridor known as Cocaine Alley—Tim "Nailer" Foley, an American veteran, heads a small paramilitary group called Arizona Border Recon, whose goal is to halt Mexico’s drug wars from seeping across our border.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Cartel Land Official Trailer 1 (2015) - Drug Cartel Documentary HD
Type: Trailer • Published 2015-06-03
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Robert Hetrick
Himself
José Manuel Mireles Valverde
Himself
Tim Nailer Foley
Self (as Tim 'Nailer' Foley)
Paco Valenciano
Self - Autodefensas Comandante
Chaneque
Self - drug cartel thug
Caballo
Self - drug cartel thug
Enrique Peña Nieto
Self
Ana Valencia
Self - Manuel Mireles' wife
Estanislao Beltránin
Self - spokesman, Autodefensas
Janet Fields
Self - Tim Foley's girlfriend
Nicolás Sierra
Self (as as Nicolás Sierra 'El Gordo')
Karla
Self
Alfredo Castillo Cervantes
Self - Mexican political (as Alfredo Castillo)
María Imilse Arrué
Self (as María Imilse)
Shawn Wilson
Self
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 3, 2015
Wide Cinema Exhibition
October 26, 2015
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$1.1M
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Matthew Heineman
- Original Score
- H. Scott Salinas, Jackson Greenberg
- Original Title
- Cartel Land
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Spanish
- Runtime
- 1h 41m
- Worldwide Gross
- $1.1M
- Production Studios
- The Documentary Group, Our Time Projects, A&E IndieFilms, Whitewater Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Matthew Heineman
H. Scott Salinas, Jackson Greenberg
Matthew Heineman, Ross McDonnell, Matt Porwoll
Matthew Heineman, Pax Wassermann, Bradley J. Ross
Matthew Heineman, Molly Thompson, Tom Yellin, Kathryn Bigelow, Robert DeBitetto
Department Leadership Roster
Matthew Heineman
Director
Matthew Heineman
Producer
Matthew Heineman
Editor
Pax Wassermann
Editor
Tom Yellin
Producer
Bradley J. Ross
Editor
Matthew Hamachek
Editor
Matthew Heineman
Director of Photography
H. Scott Salinas
Original Music Composer
Jackson Greenberg
Original Music Composer
Matt Porwoll
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Cartel Land.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Cartel Land.
Limelight Watchlist
Prime Video - Documentary Movies
Curated list of Documentary on Prime Video (US). Updated frequently. Last updated October 14, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cartel Land
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Cartel Land about?
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, Dr. Jose Mireles, a small-town physician known as "El Doctor," shepherds a citizen uprising against the Knights Templar, the violent drug cartel that has wreaked havoc on the region for years. Meanwhile, in Arizona's Altar Valley—a narrow, 52-mile-long desert corridor known as Cocaine Alley—Tim "Nailer" Foley, an American veteran, heads a small paramilitary group called Arizona Border Recon, whose goal is to halt Mexico’s drug wars from seeping across our border.
Who directed Cartel Land?
Cartel Land was directed by Matthew Heineman.
Who stars in Cartel Land?
The principal cast of Cartel Land includes Robert Hetrick, José Manuel Mireles Valverde, Tim Nailer Foley, Paco Valenciano, Chaneque.
When was Cartel Land released and how long is it?
Cartel Land was released in 2015 with a total runtime of 1h 41m.
How much did Cartel Land make at the box office?
Cartel Land grossed $1.1M in worldwide ticket sales.
Who composed the musical score for Cartel Land?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Cartel Land was composed by H. Scott Salinas, Jackson Greenberg.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Cartel Land?
Cartel Land holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).