Identifying Features
dir. Fernanda Valadez · 2020
The search for truth and connection in the face of overwhelming loss reveals the profound struggles of the human experience.
A mother, Magdalena, embarks on a harrowing journey through the Mexican landscape, driven by the desperate need to uncover the fate of her missing son, Jesús. As she navigates a world rife with danger and deception, the film immerses viewers in a haunting exploration of loss and resilience. The experience is both surreal and grounded, inviting reflection on the complexities of identity and the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.
Months after Jesús (Juan Jesús Varela) set out on foot for the U.S. with a friend from their rural town in Guanajuato, Magdalena (Mercedes Hernandez) has lost contact with her beloved adolescent son. Determined to unravel his fate, Magdalena soon finds herself in over her head, entangled in an expansive crime syndicate and labyrinth of disorienting lies on an increasingly surreal journey to uncover the truth. At the mercy of those with the power and courage to help her find closure, Magdalena's path fortuitously converges with that of Miguel (David Illescas), a young man not unlike her son Jesús, returning from U.S. deportation. Ensconced within the realm of magical-realism while exhibiting remarkable restraint, IDENTIFYING FEATURES is an impressive, symbolic re-imagining of a culture adrift and seeking spiritual reunification. Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Audience and Screenplay Awards at the Sundance Film Festival.
Talking points
- the impact of immigration policies
- the role of motherhood in crisis
- magical realism as a narrative device
- the intersection of crime and personal tragedy
