Without Prescription
(Receta no incluida)
Juliana Maité | Drama, Fiction
2022 | 83 minutes | Puerto Rico
Olivia's obsessive-compulsive voice in her head, which was under control, suddenly returns, prompting a search for the pills that once helped.
Synopsis
Olivia is getting ready for her family’s Christmas Eve party. But the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) voice in her head, which has been under control for some time, suddenly returns, prompting a desperate search for the pills that have helped her in the past.
The lack of health insurance forces Olivia to reach out to her friend Jessica – whom she met years ago in a mental institution. Jessica introduces her to David, the town’s pharmacist’s son, who agrees to sell her the pills.
Trapped inside David’s apartment by a rainstorm, the two strangers start uncovering truths about each other and begin a healing process that doesn’t necessarily involve pills.
An achievement for Puerto Rican cinema, Without Prescription provokes a heated and productive conversation about mental health and health insurance systems.
Reviews
“An untypical Christmas movie that is refreshingly saccharine free. I loved the imagery and Puerto Rican Christmas carols, which make it another unique feature for your holiday viewing. This is an insightful drama with great performances and wildfire of talent on display.” – Michael Talbot-Haynes, FILM THREAT
“Without Prescription offers a glimpse into the daily struggles of OCD sufferers. It illuminates a condition which is often misunderstood but is in fact isolating and overwhelming, and incredibly difficult to control. The film confronts and corrects these misconceptions and alludes to other mental health problems to suggest that, by being open about our mental health, we can start to heal.” – Izzy Hollingdale, SOUNDS AND COLOURS
“This newest addition to Puerto Rico’s filmography dares to paint a story that is so human it’s both intimate in nature and explosive in its commentary.” – Josie Meléndez, SCREEN SPECK
“Maite’s tasteful direction in Without Prescription is why this involved story works so well. She manages to build an intimate setting with such an obstructive disorder that it’s hard not to become immersed by Olivia’s healing process and her fight for mental freedom.” – Patrice Witherspoon, POP CULTURE REVIEWS
Citation
Main credits
Maité, Juliana (film director)
Vélez, Marietere (screenwriter)
Vélez, Marietere (actor)
Liella, Vilma (film producer)
Leyva, Gabriel (actor)
Other credits
Cinematography, Arturo Juarez Aguilar; editing, Carlos Aponte; music, Ismael Cancel, Séptimo Piso.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Caribbean Studies
Central America
Health + Aging
Mental Health
Women
Youth
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
SXSW Film Festival - Audience Award; Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival - Silver Colon Best Ensemble Performance; Chicago Latino Film Festival; New York Latino Film Festival; Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival LALIFF; AFI Latin American Film Festival
DIRECTOR: Juliana Maité
NATIONALITY: Puerto Rico
YEAR: 2022
GENRE: Drama, Fiction
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
Existing customers, please log in to view this film.
New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.
Related Films
Yo
Thicker than Water
Más que el agua
The Companion
El acompañante
Aurora and the House of Lights
Aurora y la casa de las luces
La Paz
Nobody Is Crazy
Nadie está loco
The Radio Amateur
El radioaficionado
Enlightened
Iluminados
Related Collections
Fiction Films
A compelling glimpse into Spain and Latin America's rich storytelling traditions, showcasing a blend of established directors and emerging voices. Each film highlights the depth and creativity of the region.
Number of titles: 266
SEE COLLECTION >In Focus: Puerto Rico
This is a celebration of Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant identity through the lens of its filmmakers. These films are powerful reminders of Puerto Rico’s profound contributions to music, art, and history and reaffirm the island’s significant place in the wider tapestry of American identity.
Number of titles: 7
SEE COLLECTION >Spanish Language Films
A cinematic highlight of the magic and diversity of the Spanish language.
Number of titles: 440
SEE COLLECTION >Women's Voices
These films challenge dominant narratives and offer compelling feminine visions of the region's past, present, and future.
Number of titles: 216
SEE COLLECTION >High School Collection
Given varying criteria for content ratings and age restrictions in different regions, Pragda STREAM recommends faculty watch films in their entirety before assigning them to students.
Number of titles: 509
SEE COLLECTION >The Pragda Complete Film Collection
The essence of Spain and Latin America captured in their original language with English captions or subtitles.
Number of titles: 637
SEE COLLECTION >Our Essential 100 Titles
A hand-picked selection of our must-have films showcasing the very best of Spanish, Latin American and Latinx cinema.
Number of titles: 100
SEE COLLECTION >