In a deserted land, Chelina and Caviche face a difficult decision when in fear of a violent father they decide to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. To fund the abortion, they become gasoline smugglers and embark on a challenging journey.

The film raised crowdfunding before receiving any institutional support and tells the story of a couple who must grow up faster than usual in an aggressive environment. It underlines the tendency of the current Latin American cinema to present contemporary stories, flirting with genres and exposing still prevailing social realities in a fantasy framework, without remaining stuck in classic urban drama.

Introducing a handful of iconic and charismatic characters, the film makes us face the loss of innocence in a harsh dystopian, but relatable world because, more often than not, childhood is a scarce capacity, while fast-paced survival is paramount.

An appealing cocktail between a coming-of-age and a rusty and ramshackle steampunk tale, “Seed of the Desert” emerges as a hardy road movie along the Guajira Peninsula. Will love overcome all these difficulties?

Javier Puerto Garcia