An old man lives alone in a shabby cabin in a remote mountainous area of Mexico. His house is set to be demolished in order to facilitate the redevelopment of the area. He doesn’t know how to protect his house. Time goes by and one day a young man shows up on his doorstep. Looking exhausted, he starts his new routine here, cooking and doing laundry just like the old man. The Absent is a new feature by Nicolas Pereda, a leader of Mexico’s emerging young auteur filmmakers. Its minimal narrative links the old man, the young man and the space shared by them. Their relationship isn’t defined clearly, and is loosely connected to the landscapes upon which Pereda’s camera focuses. Just like the landscapes seen through the window, the old and young men seem to be linked to each other in psychological mise-en-abyme. Time, space, memories and inhabitance meet each other in the overlaid landscapes, thus making us enjoy one of the most magical moments that cinema could provide. (Jin PARK)