Lupe Under the Sun

The director for this movie came to my school to show off the first 10 minutes of this movie, and its pretty bad. The camerawork is amateur. There is an overuse of shaky cam. Using a handheld camera doesn't make sense if the shot would be still. There has to be a reason for the camera to move. The beginning of the movie is mostly dialogue-free, but the poor acting is still noticeable. The beginning drags and the lighting and music are pretty bad. I feel bad for the director, who sounded very passionate about this movie. If you're reading this, I'd just like to say that it might be a good idea to study filmmaking a bit more before you try making another movie. I understand that you had a low budget, but even then there are free videos on youtube made by teenagers that look more professional.

Inspired by the director's grandfather, Lupe Under the Sun depicts the lonely, measured days of a Mexican migrant living and working in California. He is apart from his family for reasons left unknown; as he makes his way through countless 4 AM wake-up calls for migrant-labor shifts, Sunday visits to his similarly quiet and isolated girlfriend, and increasingly frequent late nights of drinking, Lupe begins to desire to return home, but he is not sure how he can.

The film is spartan and largely dialogue-free; this style works well for its story of solitude and patience. I can see how a viewer with little experience with independent film might mistake this for amateurishness, but those with a seasoned palate and a willingness to experience the verite of a migrant worker's lonely life may find much richness in Lupe Under the Sun. I look forward to more filmmaking from Rodrigo Reyes.