With a plot synopsis that could easily be that of a feature, La Carnada is a film that feels refreshingly lean. So often at Short of the Week, films sent our way feel too long or padded with unnecessary filler. But, that’s just not true here. Director Josh Soskin has crafted a tight film with strong characters and high stakes centered on Manny, a young Mexican boy being tasked with sneaking drugs into the United States in order to provide for his sick mother. The filmmaking is sharp, the characters well-realized—a 13 minute journey that, while brief, is quite narratively satisfying and tightly constructed. In the limited runtime, not only are we are introduced to an entire culture of “drug mules,” but we also connect and sympathize with our hero—a smart, practical kid who suddenly finds himself in a dangerous situation.

If director Josh Soskin’s name sounds familiar, he previously wrote and directed the film, Moving Takahashi, which was a favorite of our esteemed editor Jason Sondhi back in 2012. Unlike, Takahashi, however, this short wasn’t shot on film but rather the venerable 5D MK iii (the film grain was added in post). Nevertheless, the simulated celluloid grain present on the footage is lovely, as are shots of the Tijuana scenery—from the arid landscapes to the gorgeous nighttime panoramas. Kudos to acclaimed cinematographer Robert Hauer (he shot the Sundance favorite, Aquarium way back in 2007) for bringing the visuals such a distinct pop.

Although Soskin is a Southern California native, the short feels authentically Mexican. This was very much intentional—the film was shot entirely on location and the crew and cast positions were filled with Tijuana locals. As such, Soskin and company became one of the first film crews to shoot in the “Camino Verde” neighborhood in east Tijuana. They also shot at a real crossing point of smugglers in the Sonoran desert, withstanding the 115 degree heat.

In regards to the film, Soskin relates, “I have been obsessed with Mexico for as long as I can remember. My obsession with smuggling and the drug war began in earnest while living in Mexico for the summer  of 2007 and witnessed the aftermath of a particularly gruesome cartel shootout. That experience set the wheels in motion for this film…”

La Carnada was originally written as a prequel to a feature film called Smuggler. But, as Soskin began research and pre-production for this film, it quickly took on a life of its own. As such, this film feels far more substantial than your average short to feature “pitch.” Having played at top tier fests and already staff picked on Vimeo, La Carnada is yet another solid product from Soskin. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more from him soon.