Late one night, Peluche (Julian Sanchez), a brash taxi driver, receives a call to fix his boss’s AC unit while also dropping off one of his wounded comrades at the hospital. His evening becomes even more hectic when he receives a dispatch to resolve a domestic dispute with fellow gangster Mauricio (Anyelo Steven Mazon), as his actions have an impact on the cartel business in the area. Peluche’s missions spiral further, leaving him questioning everything that got him there in the first place. How different will his life be by the time the sun rises? NEA not only won big at the IndieX Film Festival in Los Angeles but was also selected to the Tribeca Film Festival, and it might just be one of the best of this year’s stacked catalog.
Written and directed by Emmy-nominated writer/director Nelson G. Navarrete and Alex Ulises, NEA packs a wild punch from its chaotic opening all the way to its sobering final frame. With cartel activities in Medellín serving as its backdrop, it’s a biting deconstruction of society, as well as the difficult moral decisions everyday people are forced to make to survive. Despite its seedy setting, the short infuses every moment with a sly bit of humor. It’s darkly hilarious with how blunt characters can be, with Peluche even breaking the fourth wall to let the viewer in on a joke. Sanchez’s narration draws you in, as he explains everything from his mindset to how they use the term “gonorrhea” in street lingo. Specifically, he explores every possible interpretation of it. This conflicted Raiders jersey-wearing henchman is the ace up NEA’s sleeve as his first-person perspective, coupled with insightful moments, frequently leave you deep in thought, if not chuckling at a witty one-liner.
Likewise, Camilo Gutier’s visuals operate on a similarly slick level. Navarrete and Ulises’ deft editing seamlessly blends with this to create an experience reminiscent of Tarantino, with a focus on character-driven storytelling and a striking use of practical effects. Danger just seems to be lurking around every corner as we move from cars to dark apartments to dimly lit city streets. Peluche endures his own personal abyss, where the moral dilemmas he encounters make heaven an uncertain prospect. Peluche is in hostile territory, and we, the viewers, are right alongside him as he tries to figure out how to break free.
A true Tribeca standout, NEA is an underworld caper for the modern era. A man at odds with himself and the world around him, it’s well worth your time, and for all the surprises it packs along the way.
