Watch Prayers for the Stolen

Prayers for the Stolen is a film based on the novel of the Mexican author Jennifer Clement. Directed by Tatiana Huezo, the movie tells a story about the girls of Guerrero, one of the most violent states in Mexico, where women often become victims of the drug cartels. The story has various narrators that talk about how it is to grow up between poverty, danger, and fear. One of the major protagonists of the story is a young girl, Lupita (played by Rafaela Uribe), who was born and raised in a village completely controlled by a local cartel. Every day is the same routine: her mother helps others to cross the border with the USA, while her father is a truck driver. The rest of the day, Lupita and her friends play in their imagined, parallel world, where they escape the harsh reality of their village.

However, the calm life of Lupita and her friends will come to an abrupt end when one of her classmates, Saira, is abducted by a group of drug traffickers. Determined to bring back her friend, Lupita climbs a tree near the local highway that crosses her village and observes the carriages passing by, searching for a sign of her abducted friend.

In the meantime, the viewer is introduced to Saira's mother, Chayo (Mayra Batalla), who from the very first scene looks like a strong woman, capable of everything to protect her daughter. She decides to go to the city and search for Saira, where she meets an old friend, the journalist Carmela. The two women start an adventurous journey through roads controlled by cartels and in the middle of a society that seems to have lost all compassion for the people living in the rural areas of the country.

The third narrator of the story is a young journalist, Ana (Alejandra Camacho), who works for a newspaper and writes articles about the violence in the country. Despite having a comfortable home and a stable job, Ana is a deep, lonely person who has never been in love. While investigating the case of the kidnapped girl, Ana meets Lupita and slowly begins to understand that the girls of Guerrero are the unsuspecting protagonists of a war they never chose to be part of.

Prayers for the Stolen is a powerful story that leaves no one indifferent. The movie brilliantly portrays the difficult reality of the Mexican countryside, where people live under the constant threat of violence. Tatiana Huerto's vision of Jennifer Clement's exceptional work has created one movie that is both beautiful and disturbing.

The photography of David Gallego, who was also the photography director of I Am Not a Witch, is amazing. He manages to give beauty to the gloomy landscape of Guerrero, creating a contrast that makes the violence and the misery appear even harsher. The music by Leonardo Heiblum is also noteworthy. The soundtrack is discreet but effective, creating moments of tension or of hope throughout the story.

As for the actors, Rafaela Uribe's performance as Lupita is remarkable. Through her sincere acting, she brings to life the heart of the story, which is the need of a child to believe in a better world. Mayra Batalla, who plays Chayo, is also amazing. Her portrayal of a mother willing to do anything to save her daughter is flawless, bringing a sense of hope and optimism that the audience craves in the midst of such violence.

In conclusion, Prayers for the Stolen is a must-see movie, not only for those who like the literary masterpieces, but also for those who are interested in the Mexican reality. Tatiana Huerto's direction, together with Jennifer Clement's story, creates an emotional and unforgettable experience that leaves an impression on all those who watch this masterpiece. With relevant social commentary, outstanding performances from the actors, breathtaking cinematography, and an emotive musical score, Prayers for the Stolen is a movie that should not be missed.

Prayers for the Stolen is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 83.