By Eric Pearse-Chávez
Today, Hecho en México premieres in theaters across LA. Here are three interviews and my opinion about why you should run to movie theater prepared for an unbelievable journey you’ll be talking about for days.
“The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the title Hecho en México, is its another touristy movie with beautiful women in bikinis on top of a waterfall,” says Duncan Bridgeman, director of the film. That was the first thing he said when I asked him about the movie.
As a Mexican national I was very skeptical, but also very curious how an English director would portray my country. Would the title Hecho en México (Made in Mexico) fit the film? Friends in Mexico City that had already seen the movie hesitated on giving me their opinion. They admitted that it was great, but that I had to see it for myself. Who knows, a friend says, you might hate it.
But I didn’t. I fell in love with the cinematography, music and message. I am an outsider to LA working on a local project. So, it’s easy for me to understand how Mr. Bridgmen can capture the essence, diversity and color of Mexico as a non-local. When you’re seeing something from the outside, you don’t have pre-conceptions about the experience. When you’re not jaded, Its easier to see hidden opportunities, that experts are blind to.
Here is what Director Duncan Bridgeman said about this:
My wife and co-producer, Anayansi Diaz-Cortes also felt the film was a true accomplishment, but has her own thoughts. She grew up with a foot in the US and the other in Mexico. Much of her work and general point of view is forged by this nuance. In her words,
I felt that the music elements completely captured the Mexico of today, and tomorrow. Edgy, jaw-dropping, poetic, beautiful, fast and paced, subtle and deep – like Mexico. At the same time, I really didn’t like the interview tape. I felt that it was talking about the Mexico of five decades ago. The Mexico of my parents. Lofty, wordy, academic, overly-political and the general notion in Mexico that suggests that we have to go to academics and experts to tell us what Mexico is. Half way through the movie, there is a collage where vox pop is edited together to create one voice and POV. These were the most poignant interviews for me. The potential for those interviews felt more real, less lofty and political and more about daily life. The interview missed the contemporary day-to-day subtleties that the music and editing accomplished. All in all, Hecho En Mexico is a must-see It is thematic and it uses local realities to address the universal. Not easy!.
Music producer Lynn Fainchtein says this about the film:
We talked to the lead singer of the Mexican rock band Kinky, GIl Cerezo. The group’s performance is one of many musical gems in the film.
Run, don’t walk to the premiere. And get ready for a journey you won’t forget. And if you need endorsement from Matt’s Movies, here is his take:
Hecho en Mexico” is one of them. It’s like the greatest DJ in the world decided to make a mix out of the best of every possible style of modern Mexican music and even he can’t believe what a great job he did. It’s a movie that’s craft alone will make you look over at the person sitting next to you and repeatedly mouth the world “WOW!
FILM & SCREENING INFO
Hecho en México was Written, Produced and Directed by Duncan Bridgeman
Duncan Bridgeman (1 Giant Leap, What About Me?) weaves a beautiful and rhythmic cinematic tapestry composed of original songs, conversations, reflections, wisdom andhumor featuring many of the greatest performers and sharpest minds of Mexico today.
The film showcases the richness of Mexican music both young and old, from traditional music to pop rock and rap blended with interviews from Diego Luna, Lila Downs and many more leading personalities. The result is an inspiring and often funny musical road trip through modern day “Mexicanity”, which resonates globally.
Opening Theatrically on November 30th, 2012 from Pantelion Films
Running Time: 100 minutes
Los Angeles Theaters:
Edwards South Gate Stadium 20 IMAX
8630 Garfield Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90280
AMC Block 30
20 City Blvd West,
Orange, CA 92868
Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 IMAX
7501 Carson Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90808
Regency Plant
7876 Van Nuys Boulevard,
Van Nuys, CA 91402
Regency Commerce 14
950 Goodrich
Boulevard
City of Commerce, CA. 90022
Pacific Theaters Winnetka
9201 Winnetka Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Cinemark Orange Stadium
251701 West Katella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
Edwards Ontario
Palace 22
4900 East 4th Street
Ontario, CA 91764
AMC Ontario Mills 30
4549 Mills Circle
Ontario, CA 91764
AMC City Walk Stadium 19 IMAX
100 Universal City
Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
AMC Media Center 8
201 East Magnolia Boulevard,
Burbank, CA 91501
Regal LA LIVE Stadium 14
1000 W Olympic Blvd,
Los Angeles CA 90015
