February in Argentina’s Northeast can be uncomfortably hot and humid. Bodies become sluggish and sticky... and tensions rise. Mecha is in her 50’s and must deal with four accident-prone teenagers, a husband who dyes his hair and the tedious problem of sullen servants. Nothing that a few drinks can't cure. Tali is Mecha's cousin. She has four noisy small children and a husband who loves his house, loves his kids, and loves to hunt. Mecha and her family spend their summers at a country estate whose glory has long faded, and where the two families, reunited by an accident, will attempt to survive a summer from hell. With uncompromising talent, Martel’s astonishing feature debut — which preceded her latest The Holy Girl — brilliantly depicts the decadence the Argentine middle-class through this family’s story.

“A remarkable debut film” — Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“A debut feature that's assured in every aspect.” — Amy Taubin, Village Voice

“Superb filmmaking.” — J. Hoberman, Village Voice

"The triumph of La Cienaga lies in Martel's way of fashioning the kind of ensemble performance that draws us in by convincing us we're watching behavior, not acting." — Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Tuesday, May 24, 7:30pm & 9:45pm

The Cinema Tropical Film Series is sponsored by The New York Times and is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency
For more information visit www.cinematropical.com or call (212) 592-3428