April's Daughter (2017)

April’s Daughter: Directed by Michel Franco. With Emma Suárez, Ana Valeria Becerril, Enrique Arrizon, Joanna Larequi. A pregnant 17-year-old decides to keep her condition to herself, enjoying a calm life in Puerto Vallarta. But, why on earth hadn’t the inexperienced mother-to-be sought for assistance earlier? Can a mere child raise a kid on her own?

“Some parents are on the bossy side. Valeria, 17 and pregnant, dreads this about her mother, April. She does not want judgments about the baby or her carefree Puerto Vallarta beach lifestyle. Yet motherhood soon overwhelms Valeria, who cries as much as her newborn, and she and her feckless boyfriend quickly change their minds about having April around. Things come full circle again when Valeria realizes the shocking conditions that come with Aprilu0026#39;s care and attention. n nu0026quot;We demand too much of women,u0026quot; said the writer/director. u0026quot;They are judged more severely than men when they make a mistake.u0026quot; The film explores this double standard imposed upon women as well as some of the things that make their lives more complicated and intriguing. The bold moves, zest and determination essential to Aprilu0026#39;s character are played wonderfully by Emma Suarez. A nail-biting tension is maintained throughout the film. Characters are properly balanced, just as there is no good or evil in the world, just people and life. In other words, nothing is black and white. The film relies on ambient sound, such as soothing ocean waves. u0026quot;Music demands a role of its own,u0026quot; maintains the director, and he did not want it to distract from the points he makes in the film. Selected for the Cannes and Toronto festivals. Seen at the Miami Film Festival.”