THE NIGHT BUFFALO
Mexico, 2006,
97 Minutes, color

The Night Buffalo is the latest work by Guillermo Arriaga (his first as a screenwriter/producer) and Jorge Hernandez Aldana, who is making his feature directing debut. This stunningly evocative story of romantic disillusionment and betrayal promises that this new collaboration will be as accomplished as Arriaga's previous endeavors.

Driven by an exceptionally potent performance by Diego Luna, an actor of amazing discipline and daring, The Night Buffalo is the story of Manuel, his best friend Gregorio, and their shared girlfriend. When Gregorio enters a psychiatric hospital to deal with his schizophrenic nightmares, his girlfriend, Tania, and Manuel begin an affair behind his back. And although after Gregorio's release the two friends temporarily reconcile, tragedy ensues, and Manuel seeks solace in the arms of a series of friends and acquaintances.

Male culture, the fickleness of love, and desperate searching by lost souls are only some of the subjects this highly erotic, superbly photographed depiction of young lovers touches upon. As despicable as the behavior of this very dysfunctional community is, the need for love and absolution is relentless. As a treatise on the cognitive dissonance of romance, The Night Buffalo is pure and powerful storytelling. It may show us things that we don't want to see, but it will eventually lead us to a fuller understanding of the mysterious power of love.— Geoffrey Gilmore

Screenwriters : Jorge Hernandez, Guillermo Arriaga, based on Arriaga´s novel The Night Buffalo
Cinematographer : Hector Ortega
Editor : Alex Marquez
Production Designer : Diana Quiroz
Sound Designer : Frank Gaeta
Composer : Omar Rodriguez
Casting Director : Alejandro Reza
Cast : Diego Luna, Liz Gallardo, Gabriel Gonzalez, Irene Azuela, Emilio Echevarría, Camila Sodi