The Mexican film Las horas muertas / The Empty Hours (pictured) the sophomore film by Aarón Fernández will be released in U.S. theaters this summer by the hand of Los Angeles-based distributor Strand Releasing. The film will open on Friday, July 11 at the Village East Cinema in New York City, and a week later on Friday, July 18 at the Laemmle's Noho 7 and Playhouse theaters in LA.
Set on the desolated coast of Veracruz, in The Empty Hours, 17 year-old Sebastián takes over running his uncle’s small and cozy rent-by-the hour motel. There he meets Miranda, a regular customer who comes to the motel to meet a lover who always keeps her waiting. As Sebastián and Miranda get to know each other, an ambiguous game of seduction begins between them.
Starring Kristyan Ferrer and Adriana Paz, The Empty Hours had its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival last September to positive reviews including Variety, which hailed it as an "infectiously engrossing drama (...) with unstated longing and superb character development."
Born in Chihuahua, Fernández studied in Paris, France, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Film at the Sorbonne University. He directed four short films, prior to his acclaimed debut feature film, Partes usadas / Used Parts, which was presented in 40 festivals around the world and won various prizes. His second film, The Empty Hours, was written in the Cannes Cinefondation Residence.
Watch the trailer:
