Sin señas particulares

A vivid depiction of the struggle and the journey some take upon them ... for a better life. Words that meant nothing aside (from the 45th president of the USA), this is a struggle that is real. A struggle that may make you realize that there are humans involved.

A tough movie to watch (mainly because of its slow pacing, but also because of what it reveals from and about its main characters). Almost told like a documentary, the movie lets us follow the characters on their journey (or revisit it) ... both quite literally. The images will haunt some (many I assume), especially the faint hearted.

If you think your life is hard, try to walk in their shoes ... pun somewhat intended.

What's worse, to know that you're son is dead or not to know and keep living with a remainder of hope? A mother decides that she cannot live without knowing and embarks on a search through dangerous, lawless territory full of natural beauty and human bestialities. Very slowly told but very touching as one can feel the emptiness that surrounds the protagonist.

A mother's perilous journey across Militia-run lands inspires. Expertly crafted and shot. Valadez' extraordinary feature debut.

Screenplay...................................... 10 / 10 Acting............................................... 10 Cinematography............................... 10 Sound................................................... 8 Editing................................................ 7 Score....................................................... 6 Timeless Utility................................. 9 Total.................................................... 60 / 70 ~= 8.6 (which I rounded to 9) Verdict................................................. Highly Recommended

Valadez's film has gone off as a firecracker, winning awards at the most recent Sundance Film Festival. It explores and exposes myths as well as expanding filmmaking tropes on the topic of "borderlands".

This film was directed by Fernanda Valadez but she co-wrote its Sundance Award-winning script with Astrid Rondero.

Its cast include Mercedes Hernández, David Illescas and Juan Jesús Varela. It plot is about Guanajuato mother, Magdalena (played by Hernández) trying to search for her missing son, Jesus (played by Varela) at the U.S./Mexico border.

It some ways, the story becomes an emotional, traumatic road trip, exploring the "border" within fear, anxiety, even looking into surveillance border technology and "coyote" subcultures.

Great debut for the director Fernanda Valadez - it was definitely uniquely told story, that feels as real as it gets. The cinematography is bleak and heavy but no complaints about the quality of it, except some filler shots of sky and grass... her choice of close-ups, angles, blurs, got us close to the real viewpoint of the mother searching for her son and felt quite authentic.

Sadly, you could notice the short film material dragged out to 96 minutes, and it felt so much longer with its snail paced scenes... I understand that added to the dramatics but if was painful!

So, I would recommend it for one off watching, and prepare yourself - it will seem long!