Synopsis

As the only child of an old immigrant family, Maria Quintanilla
wants to reach for the future her parents carved for her, but
fears it will put even more of a strain on her family who already
deals with medical expenses, and upkeep of the family bodega. As
she struggles with her admission decision, Maria discovers a new
world in the freezer of her family’s bodega. Becoming acquainted
with the new world, ‘Querencia’, and even making a new friend,
she finds herself able to escape the obligations she holds in her
real world.

However, new problems begin to arise in Querencia with Maria’s
arrival. Offering her aid, these problems are solved and she
finds herself finding more refuge in Querencia than intended. As
she travels between worlds, the pressure from her parents grows
and she creeps closer and closer to her admissions deadline;
still unable to decide.

Things in Querencia begin to take a turn for the worse, prompting
Maria to venture back into Querencia to find a way to put an end
to it. Upon doing so, she is faced with the ultimate decision—to
choose Querencia or her future. Still unable to decide, she has a
heart to heart with her mother who reassures her that she can
handle whatever may come her way. Maria makes her choice and
chooses her future, deciding to leave Querencia, and go forward
with her choice of college.

To request the full script, please contact Jovanna Meave, meave@chapman.edu