TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID
Written and Directed by Issa Lopez
Filmadora Nacional
Peligrosa
2017 – Mexico
2019 – U.S. Canada

Heart breaking and honest, writer/director Issa Lopez brings us a gritty slow burner centered around a group of orphaned kids bonded by the perils of violence. And, it’s clear these kids are far from alright.

Tigers’ provides a stark sense of realism early into the film and never lets up. We watch children laughing and playing after school mere feet from where a barely covered body lays bleeding out into the street with part of his skull blown off. Welcome to the inner-city of Mexico where ancient folklore collides with the blood-soaked landscape to tell a dark fairy tale not meant for children despite the children guiding us through. Estrella (Laola Lara), leads us into the central story when, after arriving home from school, she discovers an empty apartment where her mother had been snatched by local cartel. Fearing the worst and armed with three wishes a classmate had given her for protection, Estrella wishes her mother’s return and that’s when we learn even wishes have teeth.

Back from the dead as a terrifying wraith, Estrella’s mother guides her to put the wrong things right. She sets out on a mission to not only avenge her mother’s death, but to also avenge the devastation wrought upon the city by the ruthless drug cartel. Along the way, Estrella meets a gang of young boys who are being hunted down by a member of the cartel over an incriminating item they had stolen from him. The leader of the boys, El Shine (Juan Ramón López), allows Estrella to tag along after she promises to kill the man chasing them despite the grumbles of some of the other boys.  

What follows is a haunting masterpiece seen through the eyes of children while relying on the power of their wondrous imagination to save what remains of hope despite all which is lost and terrible.

Also now available on Shudder.

Also now available on Shudder.