Hugo Ramírez as Tulio and Bastian Escobar as Cristian
“She will always be here.”
In FLIES, Olga (Teresa Sánchez) lives a dull and boring existence in apparent isolation from all, including her rowdy neighbours whose voices she tries to obliterate with her often used ear plugs. Her life circulates around almost ritualistic rigid routines, from playing sudoku on her computer, going to the café for her coffee and sandwich, to meticulously disposing of any errant fly that deigns to come into her apartment.
Teresita Sánchez as Olga and Bastian Escobar as Cristian
When an infected toe nail requires expensive surgery. Olga reluctantly finds herself obliged to rent out a room in her apartment to Tulio. He is also broke, and, unable to pay much more, so,, rather than declaring him, he sneaks in his nine-year-old son Cristian at night to sleep. Olga soon realizes something is amiss and reluctantly finds herself bonding with the child, and their lives becomes intertwined, changing her forever.
Prolific director Fernando Eimbck first hit or screens with his engaging Opèra Prima Duck Season (Temporada de Patos-2004) that won an Ariel for Best Film, being very well-received at all the festivals. He followed that with a string of movies including Berlin, I love you (2018) and Olmo (2025) and now Flies, his fifth feature.
Fernando Eimbcke - the Director
Eimbcks has elicited a truly remarkable performance from Bastian Gareth Escobar Alfonso as Cristian ( as Bastian Escobar) .His natural, spontaneous and mischievous performance is outstanding and totally endearing. Through this performance, Eimbcke’s film pulls on our heartstrings with great subtlety. It brings to mind other directors with an uncanny knack to work with children, Carla Simón, Luc Besson, and François Truffaut to name a few. The interactions of the child with the adults form a highly significant part of the storyline, not least the wonderful cameo by Enrique Arreola as a hospital laundryman who tries to help young Cristian see his mother in the hospital.
There is a softness to the black & white images that draw you in. It adds an intimacy, with fewer distractions that colour might have introduced. The film is considered a comedy, but it is more of a heartfelt drama that manages to avoid sentimentalism, while still effectively pulling at the heartstrings. María Secco’s cinematography and lighting are carefully measured and framed. The other quality that stands out, is the pace which is natural and spontaneous. Eimbecke’s minimalist style is persuasive, despite the relative austerity of approach, that somehow makes it all the more moving.
At moments there is an almost documentary feel to the movie so that we are irresistibly pulled into the web of the story and the upturned life of the young Cristian, who hopes with such fervour that cosmic warriors can save his desperately sick mother.
“Invaders from space, I honour and respect you as the most fearsome enemies… agree to fight me… let the battle begin”
FLIES (2026) BY Fernando Eimbcke
being screened in the LOVE strand at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival
CREDITS: -
Director: Fernando Eimbcke/ Screenplay: Vanesa Garnica and Fernando Eimbcke/ Producers: Eréndira Núñez Larios, Michel Franco, Fernando Eimbcke / Exec producers: Daniela Leyva Becerra Acosta, Luis Collar and Jorge Moreno/ Cinematographer: María Secco / Editors: Salvador Reyes Zúñiga and Fernando Eimbcke / Production Designer: Alfredo Wigueras / Sound Designer: Javier Umpierrez / Direct Sound: Anuar Yahya Valdovinos / Original Music: Camilo Lara / Animal carer (Flies) Javier García. Company credits
CAST: -
TERESITA SANCHEZ as Olga Mendoza/ BASTIAN GARETH ESCOBAR ALFONSO as Cristian/ HUGO ‘BUYO' RAMÍREZ as Tulio and a special cameo by Enrique Arreola.
