Sundance

A Film by: Alicia Scherson & Cristián Jiménez

Starring Jorge Becker, Gabriela Arancibia, Cristián Carvajal, and Blanca Lewin

When a married couple decides to move to France with their young daughter for a few months, they ask a distant cousin, Martín, to housesit and take care of their cat. At 40 years old, Martín has no kids, no wife, and no job. Despite Martín’s brooding and strange demeanor, the family dismisses any doubts they have and leave the house in his care. Left to his own devices, Martín spends his days indoors chain-smoking, looking through their belongings, trying on their clothes, and moving the furniture around how he likes. Slowly, Martín becomes seduced by the idea of family life, treating the house as if it’s his own.

One day, the cat goes missing. Martín goes out searching for him and falls for Pachi, an attractive single mother. He brings her to the house and wins her over by posing as a divorcee who doesn’t get to see his daughter because of his vindictive ex-wife. Before long, Pachi is bringing her young son over to the house, turning their casual ing into domestic bliss. As the imminent return of the real family gets closer and closer, Martín’s pseudo-family begins to unravel.

Based on a story by celebrated Chilean author Alejandro Zambra, Family Life is directed by two of Chile’s most exciting filmmakers - Alicia Scherson and Cristian Jimenez.

Alicia Scherson made her debut with Play (2005), which won the New Narrative Director Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her other films include Turistas (New Directors Award, 2009 Seattle International Film Festival) and the 2013 Sundance Film Festival selection Il Futuro (KNF Award, International Film Festival Rotterdam). Scherson also founded the production company La Ventura.

Cristián Jiménez is a Chilean sociologist and filmmaker. His previous films include Ilusiones ópticas (2009), Bonsái (Un Certain Regard, 2011 Cannes Film Festival), and La voz en off(2014 San Sebastián International Film Festival). He has taught at the School of Cinema at the Universidad de Chile, Instituto Profesional Arcos, Universidad Tecnológica de Chile, and UNIACC Film School.

Family Life is represented for worldwide sales by Visit Films.

FAMILY LIFE will screen at the following dates and times:

https://www.sundance.org/projects/family-life

Press & Industry Screening
Friday, January 20 at 10:00AM - Holiday Village Cinema 4, Park City

Premiere Screening 
Friday, January 20 at 2:30PM - Prospector Square Theatre, Park City

Additional Screenings (limited press tickets available)

Saturday, January 21 at 8:30AM - Egyptian Theatre, Park City
Saturday, January 21 at 9:00PM - Salt Lake City Library, Park City
Thursday, January 26 at 12:30PM - Redstone Cinema 1, Park City
Friday, January 27 at 6:15PM - Holiday Village Cinema 2, Park City