Prayers for the Stolen 2021

Three young girls in San Miguel, Jalisco, navigate their adolescence in a village overshadowed by the perils of the drug trade and human trafficking. The film begins on a haunting note as a mother is seen digging a grave for her young daughter. Meanwhile, a boy toils away at a quarry, his somber expression reflecting the bleakness of their reality.

In this village, individuals scramble to find a signal in the hills, desperate for a phone call to reach out to family for financial assistance. Amidst this, Ana strives to connect with her father but is met with silence. On her journey back home, she encounters a distraught woman who urges her to return home cautiously. As she enters her room, Ana spots a scorpion on the ceiling and, overwhelmed, drifts into sleep.

The following day introduces a classroom scene where a student remarks, > “the scorpion has a stinger to protect it from its enemies.” This moment of insight mirrors the harsh life lessons unfolding around them. The narrative shifts back to the quarry, where disaster strikes with a thunderous explosion.

Striking a contrasting note, Ana’s mother reacts violently when she discovers her daughter wearing lipstick. This leads to a visit to the hairdresser, where Ana’s hair is cut short, resembling a boy’s hairstyle, symbolizing her struggle with identity. Afterward, she ventures to the home of her friend Juana, who is rumored to have been abducted, peering through the window with a sense of foreboding.

The villagers gather to listen to a teacher’s warning about the cartel’s demands for payment. A poignant time jump occurs, propelling us forward by 5 to 6 years, during which Ana finds inspiration in her teacher’s words and envisions a future unbound by the harsh realities of their world.

However, the looming threat of the cartels is palpable as they close in on Ana, prompting her to swiftly seek refuge. The film culminates in an evocative travel sequence, encapsulating the complex journey of the girls as they confront the overarching challenges of their environment.