LAFF 2015: POCHA -- MANIFEST DESTINY

Claudia (Veronica Sixtos) in Pocha -- Manifest Destiny.

A young woman oportunista

By Miranda Inganni

Raised in the United States, the 20-something Mexican-American Claudia (Veronica Sixtos) never learned Spanish. This causes some Spanish-speakers to refer to her as "Pocha." As the opening cards in co-directors Michael Dwyer and Kaitlin McLaughlin's (who also wrote the script) film informs us, "Pocha" refers to a Latina who does not speak Spanish. It can also refer to fruit that is rotten or discolored. Both definitions will apply to Claudia's destiny. (Pocha for Latinas and Pocho, for Latinos, actually have wider connotations.)

From the start, it becomes clear Claudia is not going to be a film's adorable heroine. She is involved in a credit card scheme where patrons' cards are collected at bars and then swiped and scanned into a phone. Mobile fraud.

Soon enough, Claudia is caught. Since she is not in the United States legally and has now committed a felony, Claudia is sent back to Mexico. It is illegal for her to return to the United States.

Upon deportation, Claudia is faced with no choice but to live with her father, Andrès (Julio Cedillo), and grandmother (Maria Del Carmen Farias) on their sprawling ranch in Northern Mexico. Accustomed to U.S. standards of life, Claudia is deeply discontented to do menial farm tasks and earn a measly amount of money (more measly than in the U.S.) -- $10 dollars a day, not $10 dollars an hour.

After a scary encounter, Claudia finds herself involved with Ricky (Robert Urbina), a dangerous man who happens to be easy on the eyes. Of course, having a gun pointed at her head made the choice easier for Claudia, too.

(Both Sixtos and Urbian were in that Los Angles-based, indie hit, Quinceanera, back in 2006.) 

Caught between loyalties to family and financial gain, Claudia helps her dad on the ranch by day and engages in criminal activity, and sexy time, with Ricky by night. But how long can she keep these narratives separated?

Admirably acted, especially by Sixtos in the lead, Pocha -- Manifest Destiny presents a survivor in Claudia, but one whose actions are those of a lazy, opportunistic and greedy person. Despite her Mexican heritage, Claudia resembles a spoiled American brat. And her predicaments confirm her cynicism.

Underscoring this dichotomy between culture, heritage and language, Pocha -- Manifest Destiny uses both English and Spanish subtitles at all times -- depending on the language being spoken at by the characters.

Pocha -- Manifest Destiny screens at LAFF: June 14, 6:30 p.m., Regal Cinemas. For more information: Pocha.