Family tension boils over in writer/director Nadia Zoe’s character-driven dramedy, A Little Family Drama. The film tells the story of a multi-generational Mexican American family as they work through complicated dynamics with the ones they love the most. Set against an impending family reunion dinner held for the first time in the absence of the family patriarch, themes of trust, tradition, and patience are woven throughout this quick-witted indie film. A Little Family Drama is backed by heartfelt performances, making it a sweet and soulful watch for generations.

Family Tradition Hits the Refresh Button

The Sepulvedas are a proud Mexican American family whose dedication to their restaurant business dates back generations. The family patriarch aka Abuelo recently passed away, and in his absence, there has been increasing tension within the family. Things get heated as the Sepulvedas prepare for their annual family reunion dinner, an event they take very seriously given their passion for food and love of family. Matriarch Anselma (Alma Martinez) aka Abuela, clashes with her older daughter Victoria (Romi Davis) about which dish should be the final course. Victoria also engages in conflict with her adult daughter Cecelia (Diana Torres), who wants to shake up tradition and go against her mother’s effort to maintain the status quo.

Watch the A Little Family Drama trailer here.

Another key player in this equation is Victoria’s son, Matias (Ramon O. Torres), who harbors a secret that threatens to financially destroy everything. Matias is an aspiring entrepreneur who recently convinced his grandmother Anselma to take out a giant loan against the family restaurant so he could open a state-of-the-art, technologically advanced taco truck. The result was a disaster and Matias continues to default on his reimbursement plan. Anxiety-ridden, Matias knows that a foreclosure on the restaurant is imminent if he doesn’t come clean to his family. Once the whole family finally sits down for dinner, the dysfunction reaches a boiling point. Uncomfortable truths are being served left and right, forcing each to reassess their role within the family dynamic.

Dinnertime Dysfunction Leads to Great Comedic Moments

A Little Family Drama is an honest portrayal of a family working through hard times. It’s not always easy to disagree with a loved one, especially when their stubbornness seems impossible to rationalize. The dramatic moments are anchored by strong performances from the entire main cast. Their expression of empathy and unconditional love really grounds this film. For as intense as some scenes can be, filmmaker Nadia Zoe makes sure to punch up the humorous moments too. Poking fun at hyper-specific Mexican dishes, like pink conchas laced with weed and magic mushrooms in the vegan posole, the menu is a riot. These characters are easy to laugh along with and root for at the same time.

Takeaway

Making her feature-length directorial debut, Nadia Zoe continues to take the film through the festival circuit. Once A Little Family Drama is available to a wider audience, it’s worth seeking out. The film’s universal appeal and timeless themes make it a perfect watch to share with a loved one.