Tradition presses the refresh button – Cinemacy

Family tensions boil over in writer/director Nadia Zoe’s characterful drama. A little family drama. The film tells the story of a multigenerational Mexican-American family that experiences complicated dynamics with those they love most. Set against the backdrop of an upcoming family reunion dinner, held for the first time in the absence of the family patriarch, themes of trust, tradition and patience are interwoven in this quick-witted indie film. A little family drama is backed by heartfelt performances, making it a sweet and soulful watch for generations.

Family Tradition hits the refresh button.

The Sepulvedas are a proud Mexican-American family whose commitment to their restaurant business goes back generations. The family patriarch, alias Abuelo, recently passed away and in his absence there have been increasing tensions within the family. Things heat up as the Sepulvedas prepare for their annual family reunion, an event they take very seriously given their passion for food and their love of family. Matriarch Anselma (Alma Martinez) aka Abuela argues with her older daughter Victoria (Romi Davis) about which dish should be the last course. Victoria also finds herself at odds with her adult daughter Cecelia (Diana Torres), who wants to shake up tradition and go against her mother’s efforts to maintain the status quo.

Watch them A little family drama Trailer here.

Another key player in this equation is Victoria’s son Matias (Ramon O. Torres), who harbors a secret that threatens to destroy everything financially. Matias is an aspiring entrepreneur who recently convinced his grandmother Anselma to take out a huge loan on the family restaurant so he could open a state-of-the-art, technologically advanced taco truck. The result was a disaster and Matias continues to default on his reimbursement plan. Racked with fear, Matias knows that if he doesn’t tell his family the truth, the restaurant will be foreclosed on. When the whole family finally sits down for dinner, the disturbance reaches a boiling point. Uncomfortable truths are being spread left and right, forcing everyone to re-evaluate their role within the family dynamic.

A dinner dysfunction leads to some great comedic moments

A little family drama is an honest portrayal of a family going through difficult times. It’s not always easy to disagree with a loved one, especially when their stubbornness seems impossible to explain. The dramatic moments are underpinned by strong performances from the entire main cast. Her expression of empathy and unconditional love forms the cornerstone of this film. As intense as some scenes may be, filmmaker Nadia Zoe makes sure to amplify the humorous moments too. The menu pokes fun at hyper-specific Mexican dishes, like pink conchas with grass and magic mushrooms in the vegan posole, and it’s awesome. It’s easy to laugh with these characters and root for them at the same time.

Take away

Nadia Zoe is making her feature-length directorial debut and continues to screen the film at festivals. Once A little family drama is accessible to a wider audience, it’s worth seeking out. The film’s universal appeal and timeless themes make it a perfect watch to share with a loved one.