Desierto 2016

The film begins with a group of Hispanic immigrants traveling in the back of a truck, their journey towards the American border abruptly halted when the vehicle breaks down. The drivers, seemingly clueless about the mechanical issues, request assistance from the passengers. Among them is Moises, who, despite claiming to be a mechanic, is unable to repair the truck. With no choice left, the drivers instruct the immigrants to disembark and head towards America on foot.

At the same time, Sam is out on a drive with his trusty dog, Tracker. Stopping to hunt for rabbits, he successfully takes down one with his sniper rifle, unknowingly alerting the immigrants nearby. As they scatter and seek shelter among the cacti and tumbleweeds, Moises notices unsettling behavior from a fellow immigrant towards a woman named Adela. Recognizing her discomfort, Moises cleverly diverts the man’s attention, protecting Adela from further advances.

Later, while driving, Sam encounters a border patrol agent who casually dismisses the need for permits to hunt rabbits. Their conversation reveals Sam’s prior reports about illegal immigrant tracks, met with skepticism from the agent. Smugly, Sam mutters “course not” under his breath as he drives away, determined to pursue the immigrants even further.

Resuming his hunt, Sam picks up the trail and instructs Tracker to follow the scent. The group of immigrants, however, has split into two, with Moises and Adela lagging behind. Luck turns against them when they spot Sam approaching. As the ruthless hunt unfolds, Sam picks off members of the first group, including the man who harassed Adela, coldly declaring, > “Welcome to the Land of the Free.”

In a desperate bid for survival, Moises and his companions flee, but Tracker is relentless. He swiftly tracks down one lagging immigrant, attacking him ferociously while Moises watches in horror. With their options dwindling, Moises and Adela attempt to navigate treacherous rocky terrains to evade the pursuing dog, fully aware that time is running out.

As the tension escalates and the stakes rise, Sam grows more violent. He pursues Moises and the remaining immigrants, killing those who cannot keep pace. In a dramatic bid for life, Moises wields a flare gun from the first aid kit he salvaged from Sam’s truck to fend off Tracker, the chase intensifying as night falls.

With a mix of quick thinking and sheer determination, Moises battles through the harsh desert landscape, striving to save both himself and Adela. Their harrowing escape leads to a climactic struggle with Sam, where Moises, faced with the choice of mercy or survival, decides his own fate over Sam’s plea for life. The movie captures the extremes of desperation and resilience, offering a gripping portrayal of the immigrant experience in the unforgiving desert, culminating with Moises’ arduous trek towards hope as he carries Adela, elusive lights of civilization flickering in the distance as the screen fades to black.