Little Bird (film)

Little Bird (Pajarico) is a 1997 Spanish drama film written and directed by Carlos Saura which stars Paco Rabal, Alejandro Martínez, and Dafne Fernández.

Plot
The plot follows Manuel, or "Manu", a 10-year-old boy from Madrid arriving in the province of Murcia for a summer stay with his uncles so he can be away from his parents who are separating. There he experiences puppy love with cousin Fuensanta.

Production
The story is freely based on Saura's childhood memories about his time in the Region of Murcia. José Luis López Linares worked as cinematographer whilst Alejandro Massó was responsible for the music and Julia Juániz Martínez for editing. The film is a Filmart production.

Release
The film was presented in August 1997 at the 21st Montreal World Film Festival, where Saura won the Best Director award. It was released theatrically in April 1998.

Reception
Leonard Klady of Variety wrote that the "story is undeniably genial and well observed, but lacks a central focus or a compelling dramatic tension".

José Luis Sánchez Noriega observed that despite being "a film with irregularities in its narrative development", Little Bird is still "a mature, serene movie, where the director reviews old themes with a more tender gaze".