104 minutes – Drama
Language: French, Spanish
Festival release date: September 13, 2021 (Toronto International Film Festival, World Premiere)
Release date: October 15, 2021 (Québec)
Production company: micro_scope
Canadian distributor: Les Films Opale

Willy (Jorge Antonio Guerrero), a Mexican drug cartel driver, becomes involved with a drug lord’s wife, Marlena (Yoshira Escárrega). When their affair is discovered, Marlena flees the country. Willy has no know where she went, but a locket she left behind contains a picture of her aunt in Montréal. Willy begins his quest to find the love of his life. After spending four years working as a seasonal migrant worker in rural Québec, he is hired as a seasonal worker at the Bécotte farm near Montréal. Several fates intertwine, worlds meet, tensions rise, and moments of magical realism arise during the long workdays.

In 2021 Telefilm Canada selected Les oiseaux ivres (Drunken Birds), to be Canada’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

Also see: Thom Ernest reviews Drunken Birds for Northernstars.ca
Also see: Cinematic Arts Awards at the 2022 CSAs.