August Evening

This unassuming and truly independent gem follows an undocumented Mexican farmworker (Castaneda) and his widowed daughter-in-law (Loren) as they eke out a living in southwest Texas after the sudden death of the man’s wife. First-time director Chris Eska maintains a pleasant, leisurely pace, keeping the camera close to the actors and allowing his audience time to absorb the nuances of facial expression. Anchored by the haunting, understated performance of Castaneda, a nonprofessional making his film debut, August Evening succeeds as both intimate human drama and a probing exploration of the nature of family.