Watch Collisions

Collisions is a captivating drama film that revolves around the life of eleven-year-old Itan and her undocumented mother, Abril, who are emotionally intertwined with each other. The movie explores the struggles of a mother-daughter relationship that has to face the harsh realities of immigration policies and an impending deportation order.

The story takes place in Southern California's Inland Empire, where Itan (Izabella Alvarez) and Abril (Ana de la Reguera) lead a mundane life filled with destitute conditions, uncertainty, and emotional instability. Itan is a bright, curious, and imaginative girl who is trying to understand why her family is struggling while her non-Latino peers have a comfortable life.

On the other hand, Abril is a fierce and determined mother who works hard as a hotel cleaner to provide for her family. She is undocumented but has gone through the arduous process of applying for a residency permit, which is currently under review. Abril is hopeful that her application will be approved and that she will be able to provide a better future for her daughter.

However, their lives take a drastic turn when Abril is pulled over for a minor traffic violation, and the police officer discovers that she is undocumented. Abril's residency permit is put on hold, and she is served with a deportation order. As the dread of Abril's deportation order looms closer, Itan becomes more fearful and withdrawn.

Itan is so close to her mother that she doesn't understand how to move forward if her mother is gone. Her teacher suggests that Itan should visit her estranged father, who is a long-haul truck driver, to get some perspective. Abril is apprehensive but eventually allows her daughter to visit her father, who Itan has not seen in years.

Itan's father, Marcos (Jesse Garcia), unexpectedly takes Itan on a journey to bring her mother back home, crossing the country on his eighteen-wheeler truck. Marcos is a tough and simple man who is going through his own struggles. However, his journey with Itan helps him understand the importance of family and forgiveness.

As Marcos and Itan travel across America, they encounter kind and empathetic people who offer them shelter and along the way, highlighting the power of human connection. With the help of the people they meet, Marcos and Itan finally arrive at the detention center where Abril is being held, and they try to bring her back home before the deportation order is executed.

The movie's strength lies in the excellent performances by the lead actors, especially by Alvarez, who gives a remarkable performance as Itan, portraying the emotional turmoil of a young child going through a crisis. De la Reguera's portrayal of Abril is also noteworthy as she displays the strength and conviction that an undocumented mother has to possess in a hostile and unforgiving environment.

Overall, Collisions is a thought-provoking movie that portrays the harsh reality of immigration policies, the emotional struggles of a mother-daughter relationship, and the power of family and human connection. The movie is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of immigration policies and their impact on the lives of ordinary people.