El Mariachi gave special mention to director Robert Rodriguez and his ability to merge two separate genres of films—"the narcotraficante film, a Mexican police genre, and the transnational warrior-action film, itself rooted in Hollywood Westerns"—successfully "despite the constraints of a shoestring budget." The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: El Mariachi El Mariachi is a 1992 American contemporary western action film and the first installment in the saga that came to be known as Robert Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy". It marked the feature length debut of Rodriguez as writer and director. The Spanish language film was shot with a
Mariachi Plaza many times during her career. La Santa Cecilia music video for the song Calaverita was partially filmed at the Mariachi Plaza and the film How to Be a Latin Lover. The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority has a light rail subway station under the plaza on the Eastside extension of the Gold Line. The plaza has a direct route into Downtown Los Angeles and a connection to other lines of the Metro. The square will be revamped and retail is planned. Mariachi Plaza Mariachi Plaza is located in the Boyle Heights district of the city of Los Angeles, east of