Ten-year-old Eric (Brayan Santamarià) is unhappy to be packed off by his mother, along with his dog Lupe, to stay with his father, Gabriel, whom he has seen little of in recent years. Living in a noisy boarding house in a rough and ready quarter of Bógota, Gabriel struggles to make ends meet. However, Eric sees a different side to the city when he is taken to the home of one of Gabriel’s wealthier clients, a middle-class university teacher who is keen to help the pair out. Unfortunately, her altruism tests the father-son relationship in a series of unforeseen ways.
With a memorable central performance by newcomer Brayan Santamarià as the angry, disorientated but hilariously funny Eric, Franco Lolli’s impressive debut demonstrates an assured grasp of storytelling, employing the power of suggestion, along with a great soundtrack, to present a beautifully observed social drama that explores notions of class in contemporary society.
Maria Delgado
BFI London Film Festival
Please note that the festival is for over 18s only
