What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
Released: “El Gabacho” for Simpson Ahuevo.
Currently in progress: my first feature film.
What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
Focusing on what’s already out there, honestly, going back to work in Sonora (El Gabacho – Simpson Ahuevo) was an incredibly comforting experience.
After a year I’d describe as deeply formative, returning to our roots, reconnecting with a crew we hadn’t worked with in years and filming once again in our hometown, Hermosillo, Sonora, felt like a hug for the heart.
I think we reinforced the idea that this is our vibe, that making things in the north of Mexico is one of the things we enjoy the most. The worldview of people from the north who haven’t gone through the industrialized lens of the capital is incredibly valuable. The challenges are different (we also changed during the time we were away from Hermosillo), and we complement each other really well. I think we brought out the best in one another.
I will always be a rancherito.
What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
I wish I could work and grow here at the pace I want and need.
Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Always. In every project I get to direct, there are plenty of references to things I love. In this case:
“Coolo” de Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas.
“Say You’ll Be There” by the Spice Girls.
Many of the locations were places from our childhood: the Héctor Espino flea market, Dogos del Chema Plus, Cerro de la Campana, Our Lady of Carmen chapel, some beautiful trailers on the outskirts of Hermosillo (they were incredibly kind to us), and a salt flat on the way to Tastiota. Our favorite place.
Also, Kenneth, my cinematographer and creative right-hand, pulled references from several photobooks I don’t have on hand right now, but I loved how they evoked a version of Hermosillo that we experienced growing up.
What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
Now that I’m finally fully immersed in working on my first film, I think the hardest part is choosing what to talk about, being clear about what you want to say. That requires a lot of honesty and deep internal work, but at the same time, I think it’s also the easiest part.
Dedicating two years (or more) of your life to a project is deeply cathartic and intimate, so choosing something you won’t easily fall out of love with is crucial.
Luckily, right now I know what that is and I’m working on it. I’m clear about where I want to go. The rest is just discipline and a lot of love.
What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
In Hermosillo there was one I loved with all my heart: Kiosko Fina. My favorites were the tacos de res. They made them Sinaloa-style, I’ll never forget their flavor.
If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
I’d rather quote one that lit my heart on fire on January 1st and that I’m using as a reference for this whole month: “100 Meters” by Uoto.
Soundtrack: “Rahisha” by Official Hige Dandism.
Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
I’ll always recommend the person who has inspired me the most throughout these formative years, since 2009: Bo Burnham.
Everything he makes is something I revisit whenever my heart gets a little stuck. I always end up moved and crying after watching his work. To me, he’s the best artist of his generation. I hope to work with him someday in the future. His comedy specials are online, some on Netflix, and I recommend watching them in order to really see his progression as an artist. I think it could inspire a lot of people reading this.
I also recommend 100Gecs, fucking inspiring.
Watching the films of Theo Angelopoulos and Alice Rohrwacher...”La Chimera” still hasn’t left my heart. What they do transcends reason and goes straight to the deepest part of the soul. I aspire to be as sincere as they are.
Lastly, I recommend watching Jeff Hardy’s wildest matches. That guy always made me want to push myself when I was a kid. The match vs The Dudleys & Edge & Christian is incredible.
