PopHorror Let's Get Scared
There are many films that deal with the crisis on the U.S./Mexican border, but none that have hit me with quite such a punch in the gut as Fernanda Valadez’s new film, Identifying Features.
Synopsis:
Identifying Features tells the story of middle-aged Magdalena (Mercedes Hernandez), who has lost contact with her son after he took off with a friend from their town of Guanajuato to cross the border into the U.S., in hopes of finding work. Desperate to find out what happened to him — and to know whether or not he’s even alive —she embarks on an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous journey to discover the truth.
Magdalena (Mercedes Hernandez: Dos Veces Tu), a worried mother, sets off in search of her son, Jesus (Juan Jesus Varela), when he goes missing after boarding a bus on his way to America. Border authorities show her his bag, which was found in a shallow grave next to a friend he was traveling with. They that her son is probably dead. Magdalena doggedly refuses to accept that, needing to know for sure. Along the way, she meets Miguel (David Illescas: Here on Earth TV series), a boy just deported from the U.S. Together, they search for the truth. But is it really better to know the entire truth or to simply live wondering?
This is a film of quiet, subtle power. Besides Magdalena and Miguel, there seems to be no traces of humanity here. The photography is absolutely gorgeous—a stark contrast against the horrors that play out in the land. It’s a world full of drug cartel violence, hijackers, and others looking to prey on the innocent. Mercedes Hernandez is an absolute powerhouse as a mother who refuses to give up on her son.
Identifying Features is a slow burn, but it is has a great payoff at the end. Absolutely everyone, regardless of their political views, should see this film. It will open in select theatres nationwide on Friday, January 22, 2021.
