By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.75 cats
Director: Samuel Kishi
Starring: Cici Lau | Johnson T. Lau | Kevin Medina | Leonardo Nájar Márquez | Martha Reyes Arias | Maximiliano Nájar Márquez
Country: mexico
Year: 2021
Running time: 95
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9057808/reference
Michael says: “LOS LOBOS (THE WOLVES) is a semi-autobiographical story of Lucía, a young woman who emigrates to Albuquerque from Mexico with her two children, Max, age eight, and Leo, age five. After struggling to find a trashed studio to live in, Lucía must work long hours to make money for the family to survive. Her children are given strict rules to follow, the first being they must never leave the apartment. As Lucía’s hours grow longer and longer, the boys find ways to keep themselves occupied, watching other children play in the apartment complex courtyard, speaking occasionally to the Asian landlady who shows them kindness after an initial brusque introduction, and ultimately, venturing out and making some friends, to disastrous results. With the promise of a trip to Disney hanging in the air, Lucía’s struggles threaten to overwhelm her. Through it all, the boys show remarkable resiliency, but what they need the most is love and parenting.
“This is Kishi’s second feature film, and it’s spare look and feel, much of the film set in a single room, clearly demonstrates the claustrophobia and powerlessness of a young family thrust into this type of situation. The performances are very strong, from veterans actor Cici Lau (PING PONG PLAYA; LEGALLY BLONDE) as the gruff, yet kindly landlady, to both children, played by brothers, Maximiliano Nájar Márquez and Leonardo Nájar Márquez. But it’s Martha Reyes Arias who truly shines as Lucía, quietly exemplifying the near impossibility of a life with no support, huge responsibility, and no means to get through. It’s a very powerful little film, Kishi has constructed. 4 cats”
Chris says: “While I could’ve done w/out the animated sequences, which, while charming, still felt like padding, at least this is a fairly realistic depiction of the immigrant experience in America. Even more charming: the Asian landlady’s (Cici Lau) Halloween costume. 3.5 cats“