La Perla(2017)

(An adaptation of John Steinback’s The Pearl)

Unable to find a good price for the pearl he found, Kino decides to take the pearl to the capital. Later, Kino is attacked by someone whom he suspects of trying to steal the pearl. Juana attempts to throw the pearl into the sea, but Kino, blinded by the delusion of making a better life for his family when he sells the pearl stops her and beats her. Kino is attacked once again, this time he kills his attacker in self-defense. Knowing that they are still in danger from others who wish to steal the pearl, Kino decides that he and Juana must leave.

During their journey, they are followed by three murderous trackers who wish to steal the pearl. One night, the trackers make camp at the base of the mountain where the couple and their infant son Coyotito are taking refuge. Knowing that they will be found in the morning, Kino realizes that he must kill them if his family is to have any chance of survival and escape. He slowly creeps down the mountain, but before he can strike, he hears his son crying out. One of the trackers fires his gun in the direction of Coyotito’s cry. After killing the gunman, Kino then shoots and kills the other two trackers, only to learn that the shot the first tracker fired has killed Coyotito.

With the loss of their child, Kino and Juana realize they cannot continue and Kino now accepts that the pearl has ultimately led to the destruction of his family. The couple return home where Kino throws the pearl back into the sea. The couple are last seen holding hands, facing an uncertain future.