Duck Season

Black and white, 35 mm
Mexico, 2004, 85 min
Section: Forum of Independents

Synopsis

Tlatelolco, a suburb of Mexico City, Sunday 11 o’clock in the morning. Flama and Moko are 14. They have been best friends since they were kids. They have everything they need to survive yet another boring Sunday: an apartment without parents, videogames, porn magazines, soft drinks and pizza on its way. But the harmony of what promises to be a placid Sunday breaks down. First, there’s a power cut. Then the neighbour, Rita, comes to use the oven for a birthday cake. Then the pizza delivery man, Ulises, arrives - but he is 11 seconds late. Yet he refuses to leave until he gets his money... Hidden behind such seemingly banal everyday objects as a snapshot album, a failed cake, a football computer game or a ghastly duck picture, are the real themes of the film: the parent’s divorce, loneliness, the confusion of adolescence, friendship and sexuality, as well as the frustration of adults. A low-budget, black-and-white fresh comedy full of absurd humour, witty dialogue and superbly natural performances. 

About the director

Fernando Eimbcke (1970, Mexico City) studied at the University Centre of Cinematographic Studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He has directed numerous music videos and short films. His feature debut Temporade de patos won several awards at the Guadalajara Film Festival. Films: Alcanzar una estrella (1993, short), Disculpe las molestias (short, 1994), No todo permanente (1996, short), La suerte de la fea... a la bonita no le importa (2002, short), No sea mailto (2003, short), The Look of Love (2003, short), Temporada de patos (2004).