Geno Marx’s survival film moves its characters from an exposed desert crossing into a deceptive household.
Accepting shelter changes the source of danger in Babybacks. Zoe and Mateo are fleeing cartel hitmen when an older couple offers them refuge. Black Mandala’s description makes the home another place of confinement, with the apparent rescuers becoming predators themselves. Black Mandala’s official film synopsis and cast listing.
The young couple’s journey crosses the Sonoran Desert. Moving indoors initially appears to answer the immediate need for safety. The premise then makes dependence on strangers part of Zoe’s struggle to survive, rather than the end of the escape.
In his written project statement, director Geno Marx connects the story to exploitation of people seeking refuge. He places Zoe’s effort to protect her unborn child at the center of the struggle, giving the survival story a further family relationship beyond the fleeing couple. Filmmaker-supplied project record, credits, and director’s statement.
Viridiana Márquez plays Zoe and Ryan Rathbun plays Mateo. Melissa Chambers and Peter Lucas play the older couple, Carol and Wayne, according to the filmmaker’s project record. Marx directs and shares the screenplay credit with Kent Rodricks. The film’s listed running time is 94 minutes. Black Mandala’s official film synopsis and cast listing. Filmmaker-supplied project record, credits, and director’s statement.