Al otro lado 2006

In this poignant drama, three young souls grapple with the painful absence of their fathers, each driven by an unyielding longing for paternal connection. The narratives unfold like tender threads, weaving together the stories of Priciliano, a resilient 8-year-old from Mexico, and his counterparts in Morocco and Cuba.

Priciliano’s journey begins in the midst of his father’s departure to the United States, leaving behind a young boy struggling to cope with the void. His upcoming 9th birthday looms as a poignant reminder of the distance between him and his dad. As he navigates the complexities of grief and uncertainty, Priciliano turns to his wise-cracking, whiskey-soaked uncle for guidance. The elder’s tales of those who have braved the treacherous journey to the US, only to find success or tragedy on the other side, resonate deeply with Priciliano.

Undeterred by the perils he may face, Priciliano sets his sights on joining his father in the United States. With a loyal friend by his side, he attempts to cross the small lagoon they believe marks the threshold to “the other side.” The perilous journey takes an unexpected turn as their makeshift boat begins to take on water, leaving Priciliano precariously close to drowning. Miraculously, a ghostly apparition - the same spectral presence who met her tragic fate in that very lake according to an ancient fairy tale shared by his father - intervenes, saving the young boy from a watery grave.

As Priciliano recovers from his ordeal, he engages in a heartfelt conversation with his uncle, gaining a deeper understanding of the economic realities driving his father’s decision to leave. This newfound comprehension softens the blow of his father’s absence, allowing Priciliano to begin healing and slowly find solace in the knowledge that even in distant lands, love and connection can transcend borders.

As the Moroccan sunrise casts its golden glow over the sleepy streets of Fatima’s hometown, a young girl’s determination begins to stir. The yearning to reconnect with her absentee father, who had vanished into the Spanish landscape two years prior, becomes an all-consuming force within her. Seizing the opportunity while her mother slumbers, Fatima sets out on a clandestine journey, embarking before dawn’s early light.

Her path soon intersects with that of a mysterious individual, whose whispered promises of a boat-bound connection to Spain prove too enticing to resist. With a sense of excitement and trepidation, she joins the enigmatic guide, only to find herself enveloped by a group of around a dozen girls, mostly teenagers, who share her destination.

The journey across the Mediterranean Sea is marked by an air of uncertainty, as Fatima finds herself surrounded by companions who are destined for lives shrouded in secrecy and exploitation. The women, it becomes clear, are mere pawns in a sinister game of human trafficking, with Fatima’s tender age proving to be the sole exception.

The woman, though firmly entrenched in this despicable trade, appears to harbor a faint glimmer of conscience when confronted with Fatima’s youthful vulnerability. This momentary lapse of empathy prompts her to claim the young girl as her own, and subsequently, she plays matchmaker, guiding Fatima towards her long-lost father.

The reunion is a poignant one, with Fatima’s father now ensconced in a life that has taken on a decidedly different complexion since his departure from Morocco. His current paramour seems less than thrilled about the situation, but ultimately, Fatima’s father makes the decision to reclaim his daughter and return her to the only home she has ever known.

Though the narrative concludes with Fatima reunited with her father, the fate of her mother remains an open-ended question, leaving the viewer to ponder the uncertain future that lies ahead for this young girl.

In the poignant tale of Angel, a young boy struggling to survive in poverty-stricken Cuba, we witness the raw emotions of a childhood forever scarred by the harsh realities of his environment. Living with his mother, a sex worker, and grandfather, Angel’s world is turned upside down when he confronts his mother about her profession, revealing a complex dynamic between the three family members. Angel finds solace in his friendship with Walter, his partner in crime, as they concoct a harebrained scheme to paddle across the waters of Florida in search of Angel’s elusive father, believed to be residing in America.

As the two boys, no more than 10 years old, embark on their ill-fated journey, Walter’s naivety and Angel’s determination are put to the test. The duo’s inner tube adventure takes an unexpected turn when a freak accident claims Walter’s life, leaving Angel stunned and silent. Despite his own distress, Angel remains mum, even as Walter’s grief-stricken family pleads for answers.

The truth begins to unravel when Angel finally confides in his mother about their quest, only to discover that his father is unaware of his very existence. His mother’s decision to keep the pregnancy a secret serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences faced by those left behind while others chase the promise of a better life abroad.

Throughout this poignant film, the interconnected stories of Angel, Jorge, and Mariana are woven together through the eyes of each child, offering a searing portrayal of the far-reaching effects of immigration and absent parenthood. As we navigate the treacherous waters of their experiences, it becomes clear that the true cost of pursuing the American Dream lies not just in the journey itself, but also in the devastating impact on those who remain behind.