Selling Rosario

This is a lovely debut effort from new filmmakers Iana Simeonov and Michael Winokur. Images and sounds are orchestrated to make real for the viewer the experiences in the mind of a young girl in a migrant labor camp who sees beyond her shabby surroundings and envisions the beauty that swirls around us in the everyday experiences we all encounter. The sound work brings us inside her experience and allows us a somewhat less peculiar or literal Being John Malkovich moment.

Nice camera work and excellent location selection result in the setting of a scene that feels authentic and appropriate.

The story never quite informs you as to where it's going and works to leave the viewer wondering, but wraps up nicely and left me looking forward to future projects from these filmmakers.

An impressive piece of filmmaking. This unexpected story is very subtle and smooth it its progression, picking up every detail and texture along the way. This was an impressive performance by Mia Xitlali. She perfectly embodied the young girl inspired by her surroundings.

The location of the migrant camp was an interesting and well-treated environment to watch this story unfold. It offered a glimpse into a place and family that is often unseen. Each character developed so mysteriously with an excellent and surprising pay off at the end; everything a viewer would want in a short.

I've rarely seen a narrative pushed forward so well by pure manipulation of sound and editing. The transitions and rhythms spoke to the characters and themes every bit as much, if not more than the minimal dialogue. This technical execution is memorable to say the least; a refreshing reminder of the power of the filmmaker's hand.

The casting is wonderful, and Mia Xitlali who plays the young girl, Rosario, has a big career ahead of her. The pacing is great. The imagery is beautiful. But I loved the story even more. Rosario is a musical prodigy whose family faces the difficult choice and challenge to help their daughter rise from the struggles and threats found in a migrant labor camp at any cost. This is something people need to see. I wish the film were longer, allowing us to dive deeper into the relationships and events that fill out the story, as well as the unexpected climax of the story that can carry a whole additional act in itself. I would think this can be a great signature feature for any major independent studio.

Selling Rosario is a beautifully told story that challenges the audience to use their six senses, asking them to reevaluate their stereotypes. The imagery is simply stunning and is accompanied by an intelligent and luscious soundtrack, both of which capture your attention leading you on a journey to an unexpected ending. The amazing cast includes a debut performance by Mia Xitlali as Rosario with strong support by Robert Renderos as Otillio and Cristina Valle as Rosario's mom. If the brevity of this film were not intentional, my only complaint would be that I wish it were longer. With that said, I whole heartily hope a full length feature film is to follow as there is so much more to this story that needs to be shared.