Living in a Casa de Carton means facing daily threats of starvation, violence, and predation from the cartels and others who exploit the vulnerable. Yet, within this harsh reality, there is also hope, courage, and triumph. This is the story of Marta Padilla, a strong mother raising two children alone in a home with a dirt floor and no running water. Despite the constant danger, she gets her kids to school and teaches them compassion by caring for a dying neighbor.

When a young girl is abducted by the cartels and a teenage boy endures brutal abuse in a Mexican prison, Marta’s resilience is tested. Unexpected twists and turns lead to moments of victory, as Marta’s determination – and the pivotal role of the dying neighbor – help her family rise above the brutality surrounding them. Though danger is ever-present, grit and love emerge as powerful forces that shape the outcome.