“Tropical Park,” which was filmed in a single, continuous 85-minute take, is a virtually unscripted film following the experience of two Cuban immigrants in Miami.
The director, Hansel Porras Garcia, just gave actors Ariel Texido, who plays Frank Garcia, and Lola Bosch, who plays Fanny Garcia, their character descriptions and backgrounds before their only scheduled filming date.
Frank Garcia, who has been living in the U.S. for several years and comes from a conservative background, welcomes his sister, Fanny Garcia, to his family’s home, where he lives with his children and wife. Only one thing is different: Frank Garcia expected to welcome his brother.
Fanny Garcia transitioned in Cuba after Frank Garcia had already left. For the decades they were separated, the two were no contact.
The film follows the two through a single moment in their life – Frank Garcia teaching Fanny Garcia to drive. The audience takes a backseat view as they watch the siblings debate politics, sexuality, relationships, drugs and family trauma, among other topics. It’s a painfully simple idea that the director used to the film’s advantage – you can’t leave a conversation confined in a car.
The film does an exceptional job of manipulating the viewers’ emotions. From flipping through hilarious, joy-filled memories to depressing, gut-wrenching moments, it’s hard to decide whether this film belongs as a comedy or a dark tearjerker.
Through the viewer’s emotional confusion, though, it’s clear that the film’s creation is phenomenal. While the concept of one continual scene may sound dull, it instead puts viewers into a third-person omniscient point of view. Viewers can see exactly what drives the two the films emotionally intense moments.
It’s hard to imagine a better way to include so many rich moments in a film, especially in a film created with the techniques the director utilizes in “Tropical Park.”
Inarguably, one of the most powerful and memorable moments of the film is the constant interchange of “brother” and “sister” by Frank Garcia toward Fanny Garcia. It’s shown as if he can’t decide which to use – and tends to default to brother.
There are a few times when he corrects himself, but the damage has been done. We don’t see Fanny Garcia react to the misgendering, which leaves viewers with nothing but an assumption as to what she was thinking.
The common parental issues found in the film are relatable to many. After their mom became ill, their dad moved to Florida with Frank Garcia, leaving Fanny Garcia to witness and maintain their mother’s decline. Many siblings will eventually have to witness the deterioration of their parents’ health, regardless of whether they are united as a family, a familiarity that the actors certainly worked hard to portray.
“Tropical Park” is a film that masters the harmony of relatability, emotion and talent. The passion put into the project is clear and can be seen in the tears from many in the audience after the film.
You can keep up with The Maneater’s 2026 True/False Film Fest coverage here.
