At the age of 11, Chala is a young boy who exudes confidence but has been forced to mature at an alarming rate. He’s the sole provider for the Havana household he shares with his disorderly and unpredictable mother, Sonia, who appears to be unemployed and might have a questionable source of income. Sonia is frequently intoxicated and disheveled and has no knowledge of Chala’s father. In response to his challenging circumstances, Chala makes ends meet by raising pigeons for sale and caring for dogs used in illegal dogfights, supervised by Ignacio, who also has a romantic involvement with Sonia and is one of several potential paternity candidates.
The one constant and supportive figure in Chala’s life is Carmela, a grade-school teacher who continues to work well beyond her retirement age. She’s unwavering in her dedication to children like Chala, with the hope that he can overcome his difficult upbringing, unlike her former students Sonia and Ignacio, who didn’t have such a positive influence. This film was Cuba’s submission for the 2012 Oscars.