SYNOPSIS

[EN] El Tiguere is a tender yet grounded portrait of a father-son relationship, resilience, and the immigrant experience in the Bronx. The story follows Joaquín, a Afro-Dominican whose days begin in solitude and routine: practicing English, brewing coffee, and caring for plants inside a school bus turned mobile food garden. Though Joaquín is devoted to his plants and community, he’s remained distant from his only son, Junior (16), who lives with his mother and barely knows his father’s world. Their reunion is awkward and strained. Junior stutters and speaks mostly English, while Joaquín’s limited English deepens the emotional and linguistic divide between them. Inside the grow-light-lit bus, lush with herbs and vegetables, Joaquín introduces Junior to his favorite flower: the Bayahibe Rose, a rare Dominican bloom that becomes a quiet metaphor for Junior’s own strength and individuality. As Joaquín fights to legitimize his business amid police scrutiny, their bond deepens through small, shared moments of vulnerability. But just as hope begins to take root, disaster strikes: the bus is stolen. In a desperate chase, Junior collapses from an asthma attack. In the aftermath, Joaquín prepares a tea, and slowly begins building a real relationship with his son. A simple exchange between them hints at a promise: same time next week. When the police recovers the bus, it been destroyed. Still, Joaquín begins the grueling work of rebuilding,reclaiming not just his dreams, but a new role: father.

GÉNÉRIQUE

• Réalisation

  Andrew Rodriguez

• Production

  Yuki Maekawa-Ledbetter

• Référent(e)

  Andrew Rodriguez

• Vente

  Andrew Rodriguez