Sin señas particulares

Ever since Magdalena’s son moved out months ago to cross the border to the United States, she has not heard from him. The police want her to sign a death certificate, but when meeting another mother, Magdalena realizes she will not rest until she knows the truth about her son. She embarks on an odyssey on a territory where narcos and criminal gangs are lord and ruler. The roads are unsafe, buses are ambushed, passengers are robbed, sometimes even killed, and their bodies disappear. On her way, Magdalena meets Miguel, a boy who was ordered to leave the United States and is going to look for his mother, but realizes his country has changed too much.

The cinematography, the editing, the music, all are highly original. The director has eye for detail and uses poetic imagery. The acting is subdued, not much is said, because silence often says more than words.