Cast:
Juan José Ballesta, María Valverde, Patrick Bauchau
Juan José Ballesta gives another outstanding performance in this lyrical feature début by Olarreaga. After leaving the institution where he’s been raised, Alex finds work in a hairdresser’s. Due to his criminal past, his colleagues are suspicious of him until Alex is finally pushed into confirming their prejudices. After leaving, through constant practice, he hones his pick-pocketing skills to profitable effect. Then one day he falls for middle-class shoplifter Sara (Valverde) and decides to take on an apprentice and partner. Beautifully crafted, Ladrones eschews the usual gritty realism for a poetic, almost dreamlike depiction of marginalised youth.