While there is a climate of fear circulating around immigration, crossing the border is not as easy as it sounds. Before even reaching it, people hoping to enter America go through a dangerous journey, many of whom disappear without any resolution for the loved ones left behind. This is what makes Identifying Features work– it’s more a compelling mystery drama centered on a mother trying to piece together what happened to her son, and as she does so, writer-director Fernanda Valadez sets a spine-tingling mood, with striking, cryptic shots paired with the sober, difficult explanations the loved one who have been left behind with her have tried to formulate. Sin Señas Particulares captures that painful story in such a bold and thoughtful debut.

The cinematography. Claudia Becerril Bulos’ striking shots will stick with many long after watching.