Güeros

It is hard to point at one leading motive in Ruiz Palacio's debut. It is a mix between a picaresque film and a roadmovie, shot in sober black-and-white. After an unlucky incident with an infant and a water balloon, Tomas is sent to his brother who stays at home because of a student strike, which lies like a smouldering backdrop for the rest of the film. When their musical hero is hospitalised, they decide to visit him and embark on a thoughtful and funny journey through a mythopoetic Mexico City, from the dirty slums to the glamorous nightlife. Güeros might not be as important as intended, but then it is all the more beautiful. vd

Alonzo Ruiz Palacios debuts as director with Güeros, but he has written screenplays for the TV-series Drenaje profundo (2010) and XY. La revista (2009–12). The latter he also developed. He won the prestigious Silver Ariel for his shorts El último canto del pájaro cú (2010) and Café paraíso (2008).