By Juan Markos
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 08/13/2025
HollyShorts Nominee for Best International, Top Live Action Finalist
A Son and a Father or 1 Hijo & 1 Padre is written and directed by Andrés Ramírez Pulido and stars, Angie Arboleda, Luis Fernando Aguirre Bravo, Jhojan Estiven Jimenez, Diego Rincon, and Hugo Andrés Yate
Kevin is a troubled young man. The film opens with a rap sheet detailing his misconduct—arson, graffiti, and violence. He is somewhat out of control, unlike most adolescents, and he has quickly fallen down the wrong path. We see the documents of his offenses, and despite being a minor, he is facing serious consequences.
The family attends a group therapy session to address his behavior. The therapist informs his mother, Olga, that the child he victimized is being released from the hospital and that, while the injuries were not severe, the other boy’s mother is seeking to press charges. Olga reacts with anger, shouting that she will also press charges for the names that were called.
On a more serious note, the school Kevin is enrolled in is considering expelling him. In response, he hands them a brochure. about a father son retreat, the father who i think is an absent father beings to scream about how he’s not going that he has no time, why don’t you send the midget you call a boyfriend, cut to them at the retreat, the other kids at the retreat bring their fathers, kevin brings his mothers boyfriend, the midget, ironically they’ve been calling Kevin Frankenstein the polar opposite of midget.
Its really funny when they arrive at the Retreat, the other fathers and kids all introduce them selves at the meet and greet, they kind of explain why they are there, the other kids are there for marijuana, In a story that revolves around drug trafficking and other misbehavior, one of the kids discovers his father with another woman, leading to a series of events where the other parents and even the counselor side with the cheating father. When it’s time for Kevin and his mom’s boyfriend to introduce themselves, they are left speechless as the other parents laugh and ridicule them. They jokingly suggest that Kevin and his mom’s boyfriend look like brothers and mockingly say they should have brought Kevin’s father.
During the retreat, Kevin tags some items, calling the other kids’ dad a “fat pig.” Both he and his mom’s boyfriend endure a lot of ridicule throughout the trip. On the last day, they participate in a scavenger hunt. When Kevin asks his mom’s boyfriend for water, he refuses. However, when Kevin jokingly demands it by calling him “big fat pig,” the boyfriend eventually gives him the water, albeit with some irritation. They both end up laughing together.
While they take a break to eat, Kevin asks his mom’s boyfriend how he feels about being called names. The boyfriend explains that it used to bother him, but he learned to stop caring. He emphasizes that if you can laugh at yourself, it strips away their power to hurt you.
The film ends with Kevin, his brother, their mom, and their stepdad all having fun at the lake and hugging each other. This coming-of-age story illustrates that although Kevin’s biological dad wasn’t at the retreat, he realizes that his mom’s boyfriend is more than just a significant other; he is a father figure in his life.
A Son and a Father is screening at this year’s Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, visit Hollyshorts.com.
