Midnight Family is an electric, bracingly immersive documentary. A family in Mexico City runs a small private ambulance service – by small I mean ONE ambulance. Private ambulance services are authorized to operate in Mexico City under the condition that city ambulances do not arrive within 30 minutes. Once the specified time has passed, competitive private ambulance services rush to the scene, aiming to arrive first and capitalize on the opportunity. The director shadows the impoverished Ochoa family—a father, his 17-year-old son, and 10-year-old—as they eagerly await incoming calls for their ambulance service. As they navigate the city streets, the youngest, at the back of the ambulance, braces against the bumps while his brother skillfully maneuvers towards emergencies, reminiscent of NASCAR races. What happens next brings up ethical concerns: bribes, longer distance drives to private hospitals ( which pay more) vs. public hospitals that are closer in proximity (all the while a person lay dying, strapped in their ambulance). A compelling and well directed film. |