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Supported by SFFILM

Part of SFFILM Festival

Midnight Family

Directed by Luke Lorentzen

USA | Documentary | 81

14 Apr
Sun, Apr 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm PT
15 Apr
Mon, Apr 15 at 3:00 pm PT
SFMOMA Phyllis Wattis Theater
18 Apr
Thu, Apr 18 at 6:00 pm PT
The Theater at Children's Creativity Museum
More tickets may become available during Daily Noon Ticket Releases; check this page for updates.

Guests Expected

Director Luke Lorentzen and producer Kellen Quinn are expected to attend all screenings.

Description

The Ochoa family runs a hair-raisingly frenetic private ambulance service in Mexico City. Director Luke Lorentzen captures the madness of their curbside negotiations—the service they provide is an add-on to Mexico’s under-resourced public health system—and the truly life-and-death drama of their everyday existence in a thrilling vérité style. Most of all, we become part of the remarkable Ochoa clan, with their big hearts, business savvy, and a remarkable sense of humor in the face of their chosen harrowing profession.

“If it bleeds, it leads — and pays the bills. That’s the uneasy truism and slow-boiling moral of the gripping documentary Midnight Family, about a household of ambulance workers. The title isn’t metaphoric (or not exactly), but refers to the Ochoas, who operate one of the many private ambulances that race through Mexico City. Fantastically shot by the director Luke Lorentzen, the documentary develops an urgency that suits the life-or-death stakes onscreen. By turns terrifying and exhilarating, Midnight Family unfolds with such velocity that it may take a while for your ethical doubts to catch up to what’s happening. When they do, they leave you gasping.” — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Director Luke Lorentzen

A graduate of Stanford University, Luke Lorentzen made his directing debut with the short Santa Cruz del Islote, winning the Festival’s Best Bay Area Short Golden Gate Award in 2014. He made his feature documentary directing debut with New York Cuts (2015).

Film Details

Year 2019

Language Spanish

Runtime 81

Country USA/Mexico

Director Luke Lorentzen

Producer Kellen Quinn, Luke Lorentzen, Daniela Alatorre,
 Elena Fortes

Editor Luke Lorentzen

Cinematographer Luke Lorentzen

Music Los Shajatos