FLIES (MOSCAS) World Cinema

FLIES (MOSCAS)

Returning to the nostalgia-laden black-and-white form of his breakthrough debut DUCK SEASON, Mexican filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke crafts a delicate yet wry exploration of grief in his bittersweet new feature. In a busy corner of Mexico City, retiree Olga (Teresita Sánchez) lives a solitary life, swatting flies and playing online Sudoku. In need of some extra cash for a routine procedure, she begrudgingly places an ad to rent out her spare room. An exhausted father (Hugo Ramírez) shows up at her doorstep with his nine-year-old son, Cristian (Bastian Escobar), looking to relocate closer to the hospital where his wife is receiving cancer treatment. Leaving his son for long hours as he goes out in search of work, Cristian’s careless childhood habits drive Olga crazy, until the two come to a shared understanding. Sánchez, a stalwart of independent Mexican cinema, is a tough but luminous screen presence as Olga while Escobar is a true discovery, his youthful innocence slowly making way for something far more tender. Eimbcke’s earnest script finds gentle humor in the everyday, while a streak of magical realism stemming from a cosmic arcade game provides the film with its most standout sequences. –Josh Gardner

Born in Mexico City and educated at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Fernando Eimbcke made his feature debut with DUCK SEASON (2004), which was selected for over 90 film festivals worldwide. He has since directed LAKE TAHOE (2008), which won the FIPRESCI and Alfred Bauer Prizes at the 58th Berlinale, CLUB SANDWICH (2013) and OLMO (2025), which premiered at the 2025 Berlinale. 

Virginie Devesa
Alpha Violet
virginie@alphaviolet.com

MEMBERS & PASSHOLDERS

Screenings

October 22, 12:45 p.m.

Chinese 3

October 24, 3:45 p.m.

Chinese 5

Details

Country: Mexico

Year: 2026

Director: Fernando Eimbcke

Screenwriters: Vanessa Garnica, Fernando Eimbcke

Producers: Eréndira Núñez Larios, Michel Franco, Fernando Eimbcke

Executive Producers: Daniela Leyva Becerra Acosta, Luis Collar, Jorge Moreno

Director of Photography: María Secco

Editors: Salvador Reyes Zúñiga, Fernando Eimbcke

Production Designer: Alfredo Wigueras

Costume Designer: Gabriela Fernández

Music: Camilo Lara

Cast/Featuring: Teresa Sánchez, Bastian Escobar, Hugo Ramírez, Enrique Arreola

Running Time (minutes): 102

Language: Spanish

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