Past Film/Video | Visiting Filmmakers | Documentaries | Series & Festivals

Midnight Family

(Luke Lorentzen, 2019)

Luke Lorentzen in person

Ohio Premiere

Image of a family in a car, Midnight Family

Consider this: there are fewer than 45 government-run ambulances to serve Mexico City’s population of 9 million. Family-run private ambulance services scramble to fill the void.

With thrilling immediacy and empathy for individuals in the midst of institutional failures, Midnight Family follows the Ochoa family as they rush their ambulance through city streets at night (captured in the most frightening car chase scenes ever featured in a documentary), balancing the care of those with urgent medical needs with their own need to make a living. As powerful a film about the consequences of crumbling public health systems as you can find, Midnight Family is masterfully cinematic and cries out to be seen on the big screen and discussed with an audience! (81 mins., DCP)

"Fantastically shot by the director Luke Lorentzen, the documentary develops an urgency that suits the life-or-death stakes onscreen. By turns terrifying and exhilarating."
MANOHLA DARGIS, NEW YORK TIMES
Image of a family in a car, Midnight Family

Midnight Family, image courtesy of 1091 Media

Ambulance, Midnight Family

Midnight Family, image courtesy of 1091 Media

SEASON SUPPORT FOR FILM/VIDEO
Rohauer Collection Foundation

SUPPORT FOR THE FILM/VIDEO STUDIO PROGRAM
Institute of Museum and Library Services

SUPPORT FOR ARTS ACCESS AT THE WEXNER CENTER
Cardinal Health Foundation
Huntington Bank

GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THE WEXNER CENTER
Greater Columbus Arts Council
Ohio Arts Council
The Columbus Foundation
Nationwide Foundation

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Past Film/Video

Midnight Family