One Night

Lucy Mulloy's One Night (Cuba, 2012) - Marked by a vibrant evocation of Havana street life and excellent performances from three non-pro naturals, "Una noche" throws off a restless energy well attuned to its tale of impetuous Cuban teens preparing to make the dangerous ocean journey to Florida. Writer-director Lucy Mulloy's sexy, pulsing debut feature has an undercurrent of ribald comedy that doesn't entirely prepare the viewer for the harrowing turn it eventually takes, but it nonetheless amounts to a bracing snapshot of desperate youths putting their immigrant dreams into action. Pic will dock at more festivals en route to select ports of call offshore. 2012BERgen, 2012TRI, 2013PALM. RATING: 7.