Mad bills to pay
Estados Unidos, 2025.
Directed by: Joel Alfonso Vargas.
Joel Alfonso Vargas (The Bronx, NY) is a Dominican-American filmmaker and Fulbright scholar. After winning the Best Direction prize at the Locarno Film Festival (Pardi di Domani) for his short "Que te vaya bonito, Rico," he presents his first feature, "MAD BILLS TO PAY (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)," which premiered at Sundance.
Cast: Destiny Checo, Nathaly Navarro, Yohanna Florentino, Juan Collado.
Running time: 100 min.
Synopsis
Joel Alfonso Vargas debuts with a realistic drama about a Dominican family in the Bronx. The film captures the frustration of youth and the challenges of teen pregnancy without judgment. Through long, static shots, it portrays personal frustrations and the difficulty of getting ahead with limited resources, anchored by natural performances and elegant photography.
Joel Alfonso Vargas debuts with a realistic drama about a Dominican family in the Bronx. The film captures the frustration of youth and the challenges of teen pregnancy without judgment...