In 1983, Oliver Nicholas, at thirteen, is well-poised to enter the precocious teenage world of first-sex, vodka and possible-love in New York City when he is traumatized by the stroke of his housekeeper (and only true maternal figure), a sixty-five-year-old Chilean woman named Aida. What was supposed to be an exhilarating and somewhat fearful rite of passage – diving into the exciting, fast-paced world of first experiences – quickly becomes skewed by an incomprehensible depression, and a house of interior horrors. Surrounded by women – his untraditional, Spanish, photographer mother (more interested in the role of confidante than mother) his sister, a comedic, door-slamming tormentor, marked by her parent’s divorce; and Aida, his silver-haired emotional focal point on the verge of death in Lenox Hill Hospital – Oliver struggles to maintain his role as “man of the house” and his sanity.

Frantic to be free of Felix, her wealthy but drunken and violent drug-lord husband, Ana (Elena Anaya) tricks her fresh-from-prison sister, Aurora (Ariadna Gil), and two other ex-partners in crime into coming to her aid. Now that their crew is reassembled, the women begin planning a heist that will rid Ana of Felix and net them enough cash to be set for life.

During a long night of August, some people have different experiences that leave a deep impression in them. Linked by a radio night show, all them cross the city of Barcelona, not knowing that their fates will collide with each other in unexpected ways.

A romantic comedy full a refreshing global perspective, SIDEWALLS is director Gustavo Taretto’s clever and moving ode to the modern people and urban landscape of Buenos Aires. Martin is a neurotic web designer taking baby steps out of the isolation of his one-room apartment and his virtual reality. Mariana is an artist fresh out of a a long relationship. Her head is a mess, just like the apartment where she takes refuge. Martin and Mariana are perfect for each other– they live in the same street, in opposite buildings, but they never meet. Can the movement of a modern city of three million people bring them together?