To highlight the burgeoning era of independent film, we take a look at El Mariachi and the filmography of Robert Rodriguez, who infamously produced this movie on a shoestring budget of $7000. How did he put his body on the line to obtain that money? What kind of tricks on set did he use to pull this off? And is this really a film that only cost $7000?

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• Where to watch El Mariachi
• Roger Ebert's review
• Trailer for El Mariachi
• Where to watch Sleepless in Seattle (1993)