Watch La Familia

La Familia is a critically acclaimed film directed by Gustavo Rondón. The movie is a work of art that portrays the harsh realities of life in Venezuela, and the challenges that underprivileged families face, which strive to survive the chaos amidst the societal collapse. The movie revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Pedro (Reggie Reyes), who lives with his mother, grandmother, and little brother. Pedro dreams of becoming a professional cyclist and has a strong passion for the sport. However, that dream may just remain a dream as Pedro and his mother must navigate the difficulties of living in the slums of Caracas, Venezuela, where violence and crime are rampant.

Despite his dreams of becoming a cyclist, Pedro finds himself involved in a violent conflict. After a situation gets out of hand with another boy from the neighborhood, Pedro and his mother are forced to flee, leaving his brother behind at the hands of the boy's family. For the rest of the movie, Pedro and his mother wander through the dangerous streets of Caracas, trying to avoid the dangers that lurk around every corner while piecing their family back together.

Throughout this journey, Pedro experiences a coming of age story as he matures rapidly and faces the emotional and personal demons that the violence has inflicted upon him. He becomes acutely aware of the harsh realities of life outside of his protected home, and learns how to survive in the moment. Meanwhile, his mother becomes a figure that Pedro can no longer look up to as she falls deeper into depression and struggles with the circumstances at hand.

The movie has a raw and authentic feel because of the personal experiences Gustavo Rondón and his actors have with the Venezuelan slums. Giovanny Garcia, who plays Andres, the father of the boy who Pedro has a conflict with, grew up in Caracas himself and takes on the role expertly. He adds a natural element that helps ground the film in reality, as do newcomers Reggie Reyes and Kirvin Barrios, who expertly portray the strained mother-son relationship throughout the movie.

La Familia is expertly shot, with an emphasis on the gritty and intense cinematography that captures the dangers and the feeling of being constantly on edge in the slums. The background score of jazz music intertwines expertly with the on-screen action, complementing the film's overall tone.

However, the most significant achievement of La Familia is the way it tackles challenging topics without making them feel sensationalized or over-the-top. The movie's touching story is one that will resonate with anyone who has experienced trauma, hardship or simply the longing for something more, and the way it tells that story is both captivating and heart-wrenching.

The movie has won numerous international awards, such as Best Director award at the Havana Film Festival and the Best Film awarded by the National Union of Critics in Chile, amongst others. La Familia has also been praised as being part of the new wave of Venezuelan cinema, with its unrelenting focus on authenticity and substance over style.

In conclusion, La Familia is an accomplished film that layers deep emotions and a raw story against the backdrop of a chaotic society where the slums of Caracas serve as a battleground for survival. The movie is a testament to the human spirit and how it can endure and thrive even in the harshest circumstances. The film is an excellent example of the new wave of Venezuelan cinema that tackles difficult issues with sincerity and authenticity. It's an emotional journey that tackles themes of family, hardship, trauma, and the longing for something more - a must-watch for those looking for a true-to-life story.

La Familia is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.