Rodents

Sebastián Cordero's 1999 Ecuadorian film follows Salvador, a petty thief in Quito, pulled into a far more dangerous arrangement when his cousin comes out of prison. Angel is after money and Salvador cannot get away from him. The film was among the first to open international visibility for Ecuadorian cinema and was for a long time the most watched domestic film in the country. Cordero shoots the violence without display; the real matter is that Salvador cannot escape his family or his class. Carlos Valencia's performance is strong. The film is fast and short; the ending merciless. Who it's for: viewers interested in Latin American crime cinema and the cinema of Ecuador. Who it's not for: anyone avoiding violent and drug-related content, or wanting a hopeful close.