The Los Angeles Times | De Los

“The film wins you over with its cinema verite depictions of teens being teens. Under the guidance and leadership of director Abel Acuña, the young musicians master mariachi staples such as ‘Volver, Volver’ and ‘El Rey’ as they navigate everyday high school life — applying to college, making prom proposals and learning how to drive.

But perhaps ‘Going Varsity in Mariachi’s’ biggest achievement is that it offers a refreshing portrayal of the border rarely seen in film, television or the news. It’s not a narrative about immigration or border enforcement, but rather it’s a documentary about cultural traditions being preserved and passed on to the next generation.”

— Latinx Files: ‘Going Varsity in Mariachi’ is the narrative the border deserves