Set in the Bolivian capital of La Paz, The Dog Thief centers on young teenager Martin, a shoeshine boy working on the city streets. While he has a room in a large, old house courtesy of his late mother’s close friend, he is an orphan with few friends and fewer avenues to support himself. But hope exists in the form of Martin’s best client, Mr. Novoa, a lonely tailer whose sole friend is Astor, a beautiful German Shepherd he cares for like a son. Initially motivated by a possible reward, Martin steals Astor. But as Martin and Mr. Novoa spend more time together, a bond develops that neither anticipates.

With shades of Italian Neorealism for inspiration, writer-director Vinko Tomicic’s beautifully shot film is so grounded and immersive that La Paz feels like a main character all its own. Featuring touching, emotionally honest performances from Franklin Aro and Alfredo Castro, the film eschews easy narrative beats to elevate the inherent tension, instead allowing interpersonal dynamics to slowly turn up the temperature for each character. The Dog Thief is an attention-grabbing statement from an exciting new voice in South American cinema.––Jason Gutierrez