Overview
- Walter Thompson-Hernández’s feature premiered in Sundance’s NEXT section after expanding his 2022 short.
- The story centers on 12-year-old Lil Ant and his recently returned father in Watts, with Danielle Brooks anchoring the family as Lozita.
- Critics highlight a lyrical blend of magical realism, including Greek myth motifs, animated sketches, and recurring airplane imagery tied to the LAX flight path.
- Shot in and around Nickerson Gardens with a mix of seasoned and nonprofessional performers, the film pairs painterly compositions with a Jon Batiste cover and Malcolm Parson’s score.
- Reviews are largely positive on the film’s ambition, visuals, and tenderness, while noting some uneven motif integration, and the film is currently seeking U.S. distribution.