Estación Catorce
Tender drama in the spirit of the neorealist film classic Bicycle Thieves about a seven-year-old boy growing up in a sleepy Mexican village regularly harassed by the mafia.
Seven-year-old Luis is shocked: he has seen his neighbours get murdered by the mafia, while everyone remains indifferent and even ransacks the victims’ home. His own father takes advantage of the situation and steals a sofa to sell in another town. Father and son then set out on a gruelling bike journey across the mountain, dragging the sofa behind. Over the course of just a few days, Luis witnesses the mystery of death, the frailty of adults and the wonder of time, all amid games.
As in Vittorio De Sica’s Italian film classic LADRI DI BICICLETTE, we see a portrait of a father who wants the best for his child but resorts to morally questionable actions in the process. ESTACIÓN CATORCE gradually immerses us in Luis’ world, using his ignorance and curiosity to raise questions about child-rearing and the way life in a violent environment can become normalised.