Desperado is an action thriller written and directed by Robert Rodriguez and serves as a follow-up to his earlier film El Mariachi. Antonio Banderas stars as the mysterious Mariachi, a wandering musician and gunslinger who arrives in a Mexican border town seeking revenge against the drug lord responsible for murdering his lover. Carrying an arsenal of weapons hidden inside a guitar case, he leaves a trail of destruction as he battles criminals and corrupt officials. Along the way he meets bookstore owner Carolina, played by Salma Hayek, who becomes drawn into his violent quest. With stylised action, inventive shootouts, dark humour and RodriguezÕs kinetic visual style, the film became a cult favourite and helped establish Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek as international stars.