In its “Noches de Cine” series— “celebrating the latest voices in Latine cinema” and curated by Sebastián Rea— El Museo del Barrio presents Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, Dile que no soy malo), written and directed by Dominican American filmmaker Joel Alfonso Vargas (2025). This screening takes place at El Museo (1230 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York) on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 6:30pm.
El Museo writes, “Through acclaimed films from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the diaspora, the series invites audiences to discover compelling stories that spark dialogue, reflection, and cultural exchange. Stay after the screening for conversation and community.” Read film description below and reserve a spot through Eventbrite.
Description: Nineteen-year-old Rico has a hustle for everything. By day, he sells homemade “nutcracker” cocktails from a cooler at Orchard Beach. By night, he navigates life in his family’s crowded Bronx apartment as his girlfriend, Destiny, gradually moves in.
Both witty and deeply moving, Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) offers an intimate portrait of Dominican American life in the Bronx. Featuring a cast made up largely of Bronx residents, director Joel Alfonso Vargas brings authenticity, humor, and heart to this coming-of-age story.
Lisa Wong Macabasco (Vogue) describes, “Rendered with unflinching naturalism, effortless humor, and bracing humanity, the debut feature from writer-director Joel Alfonso Vargas—which won a special jury prize for its ensemble cast at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival… captures a New York City borough rarely framed with such tenderness and specificity.”
For more information on the screening, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noches-de-cine-mad-bills-to-pay-or-destiny-dile-que-no-soy-malo-tickets-1992000280462
Also see our previous post, https://repeatingislands.com/2026/06/22/film-mad-bills-to-pay-or-destiny-dile-que-no-soy-malo/
See the author’s page at https://joelalfonsovargas.com/
[Still above from https://filmforum.org/film/mad-bills-to-pay.]