Young Rico lives with his mother, a hard-working woman carrying the weight of her family, and his teenage sister in a modest house in the Bronx. He prepares homemade cocktails, which he sells on the beach, and enjoys life. When he accidentally gets his teenage girlfriend pregnant, he decides he wants to become a dad and take care of her, and she moves into his home. But his promises of change require many sacrifices that Rico does not seem ready to make.
Joel Alfonso Vargas makes his feature debut with this film, composed of static shots that are non-interventionist rather than oppressive, in which he tackles serious topics with subtlety, such as fatherhood, toxic relationships, and family ties. The film won several prizes at festivals such as Sundance and Denver, and was also screened at the Berlinale and Seminci.
Credits
Year: 2025
Runtime: 101′
Country: USA, United Kingdom
Direction: Joel Alfonso Vargas
Screenplay: Joel Alfonso Vargas
Cast: Juan Collado, Destiny Checo, Yohanna Florentino
Cinematography: Rufai Ajala
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Contact: Salaud Morisset
Wins & nominations
2025 | Sundance Film Festival | Premi especial del jurat Next
2025 | Berlin Film Festival
2025 | BFI London Film Festival
2025 | Valladolid Film Festival
