Family Life

Temporarily being someone else just overcomes oddball Martín. House-sitting for his distant cousin Bruno and family, he first does everything you worry about. He opens all the drawers, moves things around and, of course, the cat runs off. Dutifully, he goes in search of it and meets single mother Paz. She invites herself into Martin’s house and discovers photographs of Bruno’s wife and child! "Yeah, I just got divorced." "No visitation rights, it’s a tragedy." He lies facilely and the new relationship blossoms, but how long can he keep the story going? In the meantime, after months, Cousin Bruno’s return is imminent.

Family Life is a convincing co-directorship from Chilean film veterans Alicia Scherson (Il futuro, IFFR 2013) and Cristián Jiménez (Bonsái, 2011). They share their unconventional humour and style, putting viewers on the wrong foot (for a while) in this fabulously acted, wry comedy.