Valentina - SIFF [2026]

Valentina [2025]

Film

This film was viewed at the 52nd Seattle International Film Festival

I've really enjoyed seeing Keyla Monterroso Mejia pop up in various supporting roles such as Abbott Elementary or The Studio. She brings a comedic energy that's difficult to replicate and, quite frankly, steals her scenes. Even when she's sharing the screen with the hilarious main cast of Abbott like Quinta Brunson or Janelle James or legendary comedy actors in The Studio like Seth Rogen or the late great Catherine O'Hara, it's clear that Mejia can hold her own with anyone. So of course when I heard about Valentina, a piece of cinema vérité in which Mejia is the only scripted character interacting with real people in El Paso, I was immediately interested. Seeing Mejia as a lead character is one thing, but to have her semi-scripted and improvising along those guidelines would be amazing to see. Unfortunately, even though Mejia did a fantastic job, Valentina missed the mark for me. Relying on a barebones structure without fully committing to the bit left me not only wanting more from the Tattijani Ribeiro directed feature, but disappointed.

Beginning with the disclaimer that all characters are real within Valentina, except the titular character played by Mejia, the film opens with Mejia crossing the border between El Paso and Juarez. Yet, she's crossing with her brother, on their way to see their father. And they're Mejia's actual family. It may be a bit nit-picky, but if the hybrid format of the film is going to suggest that Valentina is the only scripted character, introducing her along with family members and even a longtime friend later on muddies the water. Now instead of believing in the magic of the film, the improvisational prowess of Mejia, I'm questioning who else is actually in on the joke as Valentina's family members become more overbearing.

Where Ribeiro's film excels is when it's able to fully commit to raising the curtain and hiding behind its movie magic if you will. Valentina's interactions with patrons at a diner, discussing money troubles and floating the idea of getting a BBL, are where not only Mejia shines, but the idea behind the film. In these wonderfully natural and kind-hearted conversations, Valentina learns of the OmniBase program, a contracted service with the El Paso government, along with other municipalities in Texas, that revokes a person's driver's license for failing to pay parking tickets. Valentina's focus is justly shifted from a pure slice-of-life hybrid documentary film, into a performance art display in the context of someone trying to avoid losing their license. Valentina, after garnering multiple parking tickets and having her car towed, is now going through a maze of tasks to try and get enough money to pay off the system.

Mejia's journey through El Paso, completing oddball tasks here and there, all the while her bank account balance flashes across the screen, is the real power of Valentina. While it may not have the strongest narrative or a sturdy enough foundation for Mejia to work with, her conversations with citizens around town are enough to lift spirits. But, there simply isn't enough of those to power Valentina forward. Valentina's story winds unnecessarily, turning into a slice-of-life film about the only scripted character on screen. It's an interesting idea but the execution lacks and causes the film to lose sight of its bureaucratic exposé.

The waning moments of the film work well to right the ship, as Mejia delivers an impassioned speech at a city council meeting, arguing against OmniBase, a refreshing revisit to the central plot. Focusing the camera on the councilmembers' faces, along with citizens in the crowd, is what Valentina should be highlighting. Even though the film ends on a high note, and the pieces of an exciting vérité project are there, the overall cohesion of Valentina was missing. However, I think Ribeiro's ambitious film is a great launch point as a feature film debut and a wonderful proof of concept for Mejia to garner more leading roles in her future.

Froth

Valentina's list of oddball tasks and jobs she embarks on to scrap together enough money to pay her towing bill and parking tickets feels like a never-ending game of whac-a-mole. Which brings us to our beverage of choice, the appropriately named Holy Whac-a-Mole from Urban Family Brewing! This hazy IPA is brewed with a holy trinity of Mosaic, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops that slap you across the face with a vivid tropical profile. Bursts of mango come through, giving a wholly sweet experience, but is mellowed out with a finish that boasts more of the floral and aromatic elements. Pouring with a dark goldish color and a mid-level haziness makes it appear to be less of a "hazy" so to speak, leaning into more of a New England IPA style. But the measure of flavors and aroma match up quite well with expectations.