Identifying Features (Sin señas particulares) (2020)

Drama

Director: Fernanda Valadez
Writers: Astrid Rondero, Fernanda Valadez
Starring: Mercedes Hernández, David Illescas, Juan Jesús Varela, Ana Laura Rodríguez

Middle-aged Magdalena 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., hopeful to find 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. At the same time, a young man named Miguel has returned to Mexico after being deported from the U.S., and eventually his path converges with Magdalena's.

From this simple but urgent premise, director Fernanda Valadez has crafted a lyrical, suspenseful slow burn, equally constructed of moments of beauty and horror, and which leads to a startling, shattering conclusion.

Plot summary from IMDb: A mother travels across Mexico in search for her son whom authorities say died while trying to cross the borders into the United States.

Awards: 13 wins & 11 nominations.
Runtime: 95 min
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