Al otro lado 2006

This poignant drama explores the heart-wrenching stories of three children, each yearning to reconnect with their absent fathers.

The first tale unfolds in Mexico, where Priciliano, an 8-year-old boy, grapples with his father’s departure for the United States in search of work. With his 9th birthday approaching, Priciliano struggles to comprehend his father’s absence. His mother tries to maintain normalcy, but he feels compelled to embark on his own journey to find his dad. After hearing his uncle recount the tales of those who have attempted to cross into the US, including both successes and failures, Priciliano believes he can succeed as well. He enlists a friend, and together they set out across a small lagoon in a tiny boat, which quickly begins to sink. In a near-drowning experience, Priciliano is unexpectedly saved by the spirit of a woman, a tragic figure from a fairy tale his father once shared. Following this ordeal, he shares a meaningful conversation with his uncle, who offers deeper insights into their economic plight, ultimately fostering a better understanding of his father’s decision to leave for work.

The second narrative follows a young girl named Fatima in Morocco, who embarks on a quest to find her father, who left for Spain two years prior. Waking before dawn, Fatima sneaks away while her mother sleeps. She soon meets a man who assures her that there’s space on a boat heading to Spain. Despite her excitement, she finds herself among a group of older girls, tragically caught in the clutches of sex trafficking upon reaching Spain. Although the woman who traffics the girls initially spares Fatima due to her young age, her conscience ultimately compels her to assist Fatima in locating her father, who is living unhappily with a girlfriend. Fatima returns to Morocco with her father, but the film leaves their reunion with her mother and her father’s intentions uncertain.

The final story centers on Angel, a poverty-stricken boy from Cuba, who lives with his mother, a prostitute, and his affectionate grandfather. Driven by a desire to find his father, whom he believes resides in America, Angel frequently confides in his best friend, Walter. The two boys muster their courage and set out on an inflatable inner tube to cross the treacherous waters to Florida. However, their excitement turns to tragedy when they are capsized, leading to Walter’s drowning. Traumatized, Angel returns home silent about the ordeal. As Walter’s family searches for him, Angel’s fear and guilt consume him. Ultimately, the truth emerges when Angel confides in his mother, who reveals the heartbreaking reality: his father never knew of his existence, a secret she kept to shield Angel from further pain.

These interconnected vignettes reveal the profound impact of immigration and the emotional toll of having absent parents, illustrating the harsh realities faced by families left behind. Each child’s story powerfully underscores their shared longing for connection across borders and the devastating consequences of separation.