Boca Chica

Rising starlet Scarlet Camilo steals the show in this vibrant, coming-of-age drama about a musically-gifted young woman determined to find her voice and escape the ever-present threats of family betrayal and child prostitution on the beaches of her hometown in the Dominican Republic. Gabrielle A. Moses’ feature directorial debut is a sensitive yet spirited women-led narrative that displays both the joyous and harrowing sides of girlhood.

As a young girl growing up in the beachside community of Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, Desi spends her days dreaming of becoming a famous singer. She keeps her musical aspirations a secret from her family, specifically the women in her life who have raised her. Her occasional confidante is her brother, Fran, who struggles to make ends meet in New York City as a food delivery driver while pursuing his own dreams of hitting it big as a musician. Desi finds herself at a crossroads after meeting a group of Dominican teens— also aspiring singers and rappers— that lights a spark in her artistic pursuit. (Dir. by Gabriella Athena Moses, 2023, Dominican Republic, Spanish with English subtitles, 90min., Not Rated)

Other festivals: Tribeca