Los Encinos, Independent Short Film

Los Encinos is Through Films, LLC’s first production. Through Films was founded by husband and wife team Karrie Cox and Marcus Cox in late 2007 to serve as a vehicle for Karrie’s acting and writing. Los Encinos is Karrie’s writing and directorial debut. The film was shot in early January 2009 on location in South Texas.

Some of the most rural parts of Duval & McMullen counties set the stage for the 8 day shoot. Los Encinos had a lot of moving parts; a truck wreck, a rattlesnake, horses, cattle and of course DUST all contributed to making the film what it is. The incredible cat and crew made the production a smooth and successful one.

Los Encinos is a human element story that explores tragedy and forgiveness. The film parallels the lives of two men, a South Texas rancher, Heston, and a Mexican immigrant, Lalo. On the surface these two men could not be more different. Their lives are separated by hundreds of miles, race, national origin and language. Yet Heston and Lalo are, in reality, cut from the same fabric.

Heston and his family are struggling to make a living on their cattle ranch. He is forced to seek additional income by bringing stock for events on the busy and nomadic rodeo circuit. Similarly, Lalo and his family are struggling to make ends meet. Some of his family members are able to work in their small town but the harder they work, the deeper they are in poverty. Lalo, like Heston, is forced to leave his home and loved ones in order to provide for his family.

The film takes an honest look at the thin line between order and chaos. As the story unfolds, we see Heston and Lalo, both principled men, struggle to do what is right in the most difficult of circumstances. Seeing these men in terrible situations, we ask, what is the relationship between morality and the human condition? How do people respond to life’s most difficult challenges?

Los Encinos chronicles the lives of these two men and the fateful final steps of their journeys as they converge.

Los Encinos
The Official Los Encinos Website