La Familia (2017, Venezuela) ***1/2

In this first feature from writer/director Gustavo Rondon Cordova, we see the struggles of desperate people trying to keep their heads above water in a collapsing economy. In Caracas, Venezuela, single-dad Andres hustles several jobs to scrape together money that buys less every day. He returns home exhausted each day to catch a little sleep before going out to hustle some more. He and his 12-year-old son, Pedro, barely cross paths. This leaves Pedro to grow up like a weed on the streets, learning to fight, curse, and harass girls.

As poor as Pedro's family is, the people from the nearby favela are even poorer, and gang violence runs rampant there. One little thug from the favela, a gangster-in-training, tries to rob Pedro. In the ensuing struggle, the gangster boy is killed. When Andres finds out, he immediately realizes that the favela thugs will come looking for revenge, so he and Pedro go on the lam. For a few desperate days, the two hide out in the city while Andres tries to get together enough money for them to flee the city entirely.

This is a very low-budget, handheld camera kind of film. Much of the story resides in what isn't shown on camera, like the murder of Pedro's friend, and what isn't spoken aloud, like Pedro's thoughts as he gets a look at how hard his father works every day. We are never even told what happened to Pedro's mother. Fortunately, the expressive faces of these excellent actors tell us a lot about the inner turmoil they carry. Giovanni Garcia, who plays Andres, is particularly compelling. I never knew there were so many ways to look worried. Reggie Reyes, who plays Pedro, is remarkable in his first role ever. The kid was literally picked from the streets to play the role.

“La Familia” is rough around the edges, and it doesn't have the kind of clear, satisfying narrative arc that makes for a satisfying movie. In theme, it reminds me somewhat of 2009's "Sin Nombre," but it isn't nearly as well-rounded a story as that film. “La Familia” is more of a sketch, very much film-festival fare, but it presents a director and a couple of actors who I think have promise.

3.5 stars out of 5