Tigers Are Not Afraid

 

Tigers Are Not Afraid 2017

• Director: Issa López
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Paola Lara, Juan Ramón López, Nery Arredondo,
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Sadly, none of them.
• Why? Possibly interesting.
• Seen: 3 August 2023      

       Part fairy tale, part grim realism, this film follows five kids in a Mexican city who escape reality and try to survive in the violent world of drug lords, where even the schools are closed because of the gun battles in the streets, through fantasy.

       Estrella’s (Lara) mother has disappeared, probably murdered by a gang, and comes back as a ghost, terrifying Estrella, who joins with four younger boys. Despite the dangers and their grief over murdered families, the children find friendship, solidarity, tenderness. They play, and dance, and have fun, and help each other.

       But I don’t expect a happy ending. 

4* of 5