Santitos 2000

Based on the gripping novel by María Amparo Escandón, the story follows the heart-wrenching journey of a widowed mother named Esperanza. After tragically losing her daughter, Blanca, to a rare virus, Esperanza grapples with her faith in search of answers. One day, while baking, she has a profound revelation when St. Jude appears to her in an unexpected manner, assuring her that Blanca is still alive. Encouraged by her priest, who believes the encounter to be a divine sign, Esperanza embarks on an unwavering quest to find her daughter, despite her roommate’s doubts.

As her investigation unfolds, she discovers that the doctor who was responsible for treating Blanca mysteriously vanishes shortly after her daughter’s death. Driven by desperation, she resorts to digging up her daughter’s grave, leading to further encounters with St. Jude. It is here that Esperanza is thrust into a frightening reality—she becomes convinced that Blanca has been kidnapped and sold into a sex trafficking ring.

Her journey takes her across the turbulent landscape of Northern Mexico as she makes her way to Tijuana, where she believes her daughter may be held in a local brothel. Experiencing numerous challenges, including being robbed during a long bus ride, Esperanza finds herself in harrowing situations. In Tijuana, to infiltrate the brothel and search for her daughter, she must take on the role of a prostitute. Amid the chaos, she uncovers dark secrets within the walls of the brothel, but her efforts to find Blanca prove fruitless.

Determined not to give up, Esperanza ventures to Los Angeles, continuing her relentless search. There, she unexpectedly encounters a charismatic masked wrestler, and amidst the turmoil, they develop a romantic connection. Inspired by a sign from the Virgin Mary, Esperanza ultimately decides to return home, reflecting on her journey and the love she has found, even in the face of unimaginable sorrow.

The film’s poignant story resonated at the Cartagena Film Festival in 2000, where it won the prestigious Golden India Catalina for Best Actress (awarded to Dolores Heredia]) and Best Production Design (awarded to Eugenio Caballero and Salvador Parra).