Stars at Noon

Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film situates its drama in a time of travel restrictions and political upheaval. Government instability and extrajudicial violence color everyday life, forcing residents and outsiders to navigate corrupt systems and dangerous loyalties. The period amplifies the sense that normal rules do not apply and that survival often depends on bending or breaking authority.

The story unfolds primarily in Nicaragua, with key sequences around a government-flanked flophouse and a hotel reserved for foreign visitors. Urban decay, crowded markets, and makeshift accommodations establish a precarious living environment amid a volatile political climate. The border region with Costa Rica functions as a tense liminal space where safety, betrayal, and survival hinge on shifting loyalties.

❤️ Forbidden Love

Trish and Daniel form a fragil(e)e bond amid danger and surveillance. Their connection offers humanity in a brutal political landscape, testing loyalties and signaling that love can emerge even when institutions push people apart. The romance complicates their choices as they seek a way to escape together.

⚖️ Power & Corruption

The narrative pits journalists, officials, and foreign interests against each other, revealing how power operates through fear, alliances, and coercion. Corruption threads through every encounter, turning survival into a negotiation with those who hold influence. Loyalties are fluid as the true motives of enigmatic characters come to light.

🗺️ Borders & Escape

Crossing the border becomes the central dangerous goal, with authorities, smugglers, and intelligence figures all entangled in the outcome. The journey exposes the fragility of safety and the moral compromises involved in seeking freedom. Trust is scarce, and every mile toward the border raises the stakes.