Automatische concepten

English summary

In this summery feel-good Mexican movie, we see how the relationship between a mother and her 15-year-old son changes as he slowly matures.

Friendship, humour and trust are the essential ingredients in their close relationship. Paloma is a young single mother. She and her son Hector are enjoying a care-free holiday in a sun-drenched Mexican resort. Tasty snacks and drinks are served at sun loungers beside the swimming pool. This state of affairs changes when Hector meets the persistent Jazmin, and for the first time experiences the pleasures of flirting. This innocent affair ruffles his mother’s feathers; she can’t accept that her son is growing up. Determined to hold onto him for a while longer she starts to compete for his attention, initiating several absurd and amusing situations.

Director Fernando Eimbecke (Lake Tahoe) uses irony to good effect, creating scenes that subtly and humorously reveal the relationship between Paloma and Hector. The result is a loving portrait, in which a care-free summer holiday atmosphere is fused with the conflicting desires familiar to many parents: the wish to let go and to hold on to their child. Eimbecke received the award for Best Director at the San Sebastian Film Festival for this achievement.