Popi

Popi works three jobs to support Luis and Junior and to save for a future with his girlfriend Lupe. He dreams of moving the family into a better home in Brooklyn. The long hours keep him busy and spread thin, leaving him with little time to supervise the boys.

Luis and Junior witness violence and crime in their neighborhood, nervously watching the dangers of the ghetto. They are robbed when their clothes are stolen, underscoring how precarious life can be for a working-class family. The incidents deepen the sense that safety and opportunity are hard to come by.

While working at a banquet in New York for Cuban exiles, Popi conceives a plan to place his sons as political refugees. He believes that being recognized as Cuban escapees would give them asylum and a chance at a better future. The idea marks a turning point from street life to bold, risky pursuit of safety abroad.

Popi teaches the boys how to row a boat on a lake in Central Park, giving them practical skills for their risky plan. The training strengthens their bond and builds confidence in a path they hope will lead to a better life. The park setting marks a stark departure from the streets they know.

Popi has the boys practice handling a motorboat on the East River, adding realism to their voyage. The sessions prepare them for navigating water on the way to Florida. The river lessons reinforce the seriousness of their plan.

With skills in hand, the trio heads toward Florida, leaving New York behind. The journey marks their bold attempt to secure asylum and a new life away from the dangers of the ghetto. The family clings to the hope that the voyage will end with safety and opportunity.

Popi steals a boat in Miami Beach and tells the boys to take it out until they run out of fuel, then remove the outboard motor and begin to row back to shore. The risky maneuver shows his desperation to secure asylum for his sons by testing the limits of the rescue narrative.

Popi fails to convince the Coast Guard that the boys are still at sea, and fear grows that they are lost. The family endures anxious hours waiting for word and hoping for a rescue.

Radio reports relay the heroic rescue of two young Cuban boys, bringing relief to Popi and the public. Luis and Junior are later found dehydrated and sunburned as they are brought to a hospital for treatment.

Luis and Junior are hospitalized, overwhelmed by flowers and toys from thousands of well-wishers who flood the hospital. The outpouring contrasts with their ordinary poverty and makes them momentarily famous as symbols of the rescue.

Disguised, Popi sneaks into their hospital room and tries to persuade the boys that they would be better off being raised by wealthy parents. The move reveals his desperation and willingness to manipulate the situation for their security. The boys sense the tension and react with confusion and concern.

The trio argue loudly in English, alerting hospital staff and prompting Popi to flee with his sons. Their confrontation exposes the plan and forces a chaotic exit from the hospital. The family retreats back toward their familiar life in the barrio.

The hoax is exposed, and the boys return to their impoverished life in the barrio with their loving father. The family finds safety in their home and remains bonded despite the dream of a different life. The ending emphasizes resilience and love over wealth.