The Dog Thief (El Ladrón de Perros)

Martín is a 13-year-old orphan shoeshine boy from La Paz, Bolivia, who has lived his entire life in the streets with the hope and desire to find his father. Driven by this desire and his imagination, Martin bonds with one of his best clients: Mr. Novoa, a lonely tailor whose only emotional bond is his dog, Astor, a fine German shepherd whom he cares for like a son.

Hoping for a reward, he steals the beloved German Shepherd from the lonely tailor whom he has begun to imagine as a father. Yet, as Martín and Mr. Novoa spend more time together, an unexpected bond begins to form.

This debut feature by writer-director Vinko Tomičić Salinas is a subtle yet deeply affecting drama, anchored by powerful performances from newcomer Franklin Aro in a breakthrough role and acclaimed Chilean actor Alfredo Castro—best known for his collaborations with Pablo Larraín.

Free admission! Sponsored by Cine Con Cultura 2026, Ithaca's annual Latinx Heritage Month film festival.

In Spanish with English subtitles. Courtesy: Outsider Pictures

Cine Con Cultura is organized by Cultura Ithaca! and Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County in collaboration with Ithaca College, Cornell Cinema, and the Department of Romance Studies at Cornell. 

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