Drama/Mex 2006

Executive-produced by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna (Y tu mamá también) and with a nod to Amores perros, Drama/Mex is structured as three separate stories that weave in and out of each other with skilful ease. Set over one hot night in the once-glamorous tourist resort of Acapulco, the film opens with young Chano trying to win back the affections of his ex-girlfriend, Fernanda. Even though she knows he’s trouble, there’s still an attraction she can’t deny, and Latin passions escalate as Chano competes with her new beau Gonzalo for her attentions. Meanwhile, back on the beach, predatory girl gang member Tigrillo has her eye on Jaime, a middle-aged businessman who has stolen money from his company and come to Acapulco to end it all. Gerardo Naranjo manages to coax wonderfully authentic performances from a mostly inexperienced bunch of actors while demonstrating a sensitive eye for composition. He is clearly a director to follow.

“Naranjo [has crafted] a deceptively complex tripartite character study of love, despair and unexpected compassion.” — Jay Weissberg, Variety