With his startling second feature, Serbian-Canadian director Ivan Grbovic and his cinematographer and co-writer Sara Mishara achieve something rare and remarkable. While their drama vividly portrays the harsh reality facing many migrant workers on Canadian farms, it also departs from that naturalistic mode in more expressionistic sequences that capture the turmoil of the characters’ inner lives. The combination gives force and texture to the story of Willy (Jorge Antonio Guerrero), a Mexican drug-cartel member who comes to Québec searching for the woman he loves and who inadvertently becomes enmeshed in the troubles of the family that runs the farm where he works. Chosen as Canada’s submission for consideration in the Academy Awards’ category for best international feature, DRUNKEN BIRDS is a uniquely powerful film that’s not soon forgotten.

Please note: this title is not available to stream digitally. Tickets to this in-person event are sold directly through The Isabel. KCFF digital passes cannot be used toward in-person tickets.