Los Lobos
(Los lobos)
Samuel Kishi Leopo | Drama, Fiction
2019 | 95 minutes | Mexico
An absorbing coming-of-age story about migrant life through the prism of its most innocent figures: children.
Synopsis
Following his success with We are Mari Pepa, director Samuel Kishi Leopo approaches a more personal topic in the moving autobiographical film.
With touches of The Florida Project, Los Lobos follows brothers Max and Leo who, together with their mother Lucía, have just crossed the border from Mexico into the United States in search of a better life. But it is not easy for them to gain a foothold in their new home country. While waiting for Lucia to return from work, the kids build an imaginary universe with their drawings and think about mom's promise of "Disneyland", their land of dreams.
Told with unmatched authenticity, including powerful documentary footage mixed with fiction and playful animation (reminiscent of the Puerto-Rican coming of age masterpiece We the Animals), Kishi Leopo's film is unique and breathtaking. The film blossoms into a wondrous adventure story as the two brothers gather the courage to venture outside and explore the strange new world just outside their tiny apartment door.
Los Lobos is an absorbing coming-of-age story about migrant life through the prism of its most innocent figures.
* Spanish language audio description is available via the ALL4ACCESS App and/or .wav file when purchasing a DSL license.
Accessibility for these films was created by DICAPTA and funded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education- Office of Special Education-OSEP, project “Enhanced Access to Video for Students with Sensory Disabilities through Emerging Technology,” TV Access H327C210001.
Reviews
"Strikingly photographed and appealingly acted by the two children, the film deftly blends fiction and documentary elements into a portrait of an immigrant community which shares some of the innocence and optimism of the kids at the heart of the picture. " — Wendy Ide, Screen Daily
"An already moving film is given an unforeseen blush of relevance in these trying times by refracting an immigration story through the prism of a childhood experience of forced isolation." — Jessica Kiang, Variety
"An absorbing coming-of-age story about migrant life through the prism of its most innocent figures." — Eric Kohn, IndieWire
"In a world so severely lacking compassion, Kishi Leopo's latest feels like the cinematic equivalent of a tight embrace that reminds us we can howl ourselves out of any storm." — Carlos Aguilar, RogerEbert.com
Citation
Main credits
Kishi Leopo, Samuel (film director)
Kishi Leopo, Samuel (screenwriter)
Nájar Márquez, Leonardo (actor)
Reyes Arias, Martha (actor)
Nájar Márquez, Maximiliano (actor)
Payán, Inna (film producer)
Gómez Córdova, Sofía (screenwriter)
Briones Macías, Luis (screenwriter)
Carrillo Silva, Leticia (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Octavio Arauz; editors, Carlos Espinoza Benítez, Yordi Capó, Samuel Kishi Leopo; music, Kenji Kishi Leopo.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Culture + Identity
Economics + Social Class Issues
Family
Migration Studies
North America
Sociology
Urban Studies
Women
Youth
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Berlin Film Festival - Jury Grand Prix, Generation KPlus & Independent Peace Film Award
Havana Film Festival - Best Film SIGNIS Award
Miami International Film Festival - Best Film, HBO Ibero-american
Fribourg International Film Festival - Special Jury Prize
Olhar de Cinema - Critics' Award
Guanajuato International Film Festival - Best Film
DIRECTOR: Samuel Kishi Leopo
NATIONALITY: Mexico
YEAR: 2019
GENRE: Drama, Fiction
LANGUAGE: Spanish; English; Other languages
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: High School, College, Adults
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: AVAILABLE
Existing customers, please log in to view this film.
New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.
Related Films
Home Is Somewhere Else
Mi casa está en otra parte
Tesoros
A School in Cerro Hueso
Una escuela en Cerro Hueso
Lake Los Angeles
We Are Mari Pepa
Somos Mari Pepa
In Havana
Inner Borderlines
Visions of America Through the Eyes of Alejandro Morales
Bad Hair
Pelo malo
Hero Steps
Pasos de héroe
Sisters in the End of the World
Irmã
Marcos Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Fed-up
Harta
What Remains on the Way
Lo que queda en el camino
Machuca
Estación catorce
The Kid Who Lies
El chico que miente
Here on Earth
Acá en la Tierra
Giants Don't Exist
Los gigantes no existen
Undo Motherhood Ep. 03 - Resignation
Resignation
Alba
My Brother
Mi hermano
My Name is Gennet
Mi Nombre es Gennet
The Year of the Radio
El año del radio
Related Collections
Fiction Films
A compelling glimpse into Spain and Latin America's rich storytelling traditions, showcasing a blend of established directors and emerging voices. Each film highlights the depth and creativity of the region.
Number of titles: 266
SEE COLLECTION >Our Top 20 Titles
A must-watch selection of films, featuring the most relevant titles and renowned filmmakers.
Number of titles: 20
SEE COLLECTION >Films with Audio Description
Inclusive titles with audio descriptions that captivate the senses beyond sight.
Number of titles: 22
SEE COLLECTION >Middle School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 220
SEE COLLECTION >Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 440
SEE COLLECTION >Cinema Studies
Independent, classic, experimental, risky, and transgressive films from Latin American that celebrate art of filmmaking.
Number of titles: 59
SEE COLLECTION >Labor Lens: Work and Society
A cinematic exploration of the complexities, struggles, and triumphs of the working world, showcasing the diverse narratives and experiences that shape our understanding of labor and its context.
Number of titles: 79
SEE COLLECTION >Immigration and Exile
A captivating exploration of migration and exile experiences.
Number of titles: 109
SEE COLLECTION >Women's Voices
These films challenge dominant narratives and offer compelling feminine visions of the region's past, present, and future.
Number of titles: 216
SEE COLLECTION >High School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 509
SEE COLLECTION >The Pragda Complete Film Collection
The essence of Spain and Latin America captured in their original language with English captions or subtitles.
Number of titles: 637
SEE COLLECTION >Our Essential 100 Titles
A hand-picked selection of our must-have films showcasing the very best of Spanish, Latin American and Latinx cinema.
Number of titles: 100
SEE COLLECTION >Mexican Films
A collection of fascinating titles, from recent films to restored jewels, that highlight the significance of Mexican cinema’s quality and status while encompassing different aspects of the country's culture and traditions.
Number of titles: 76
SEE COLLECTION >