WHY

 

WHO

doesn't love these good old spaghetti Western? Who hasn't seen one of Sergio Leone's memorable epics? Most people have.

The idea started as a joke toward the aburdity I've witnessed on some independent film sets but soon took a turn when I got Alex Doyle involved. He immediately understood the tone and with his wit and our countless coffees and teas at the french bakery downstairs, we actually took on writing something much more SUBSTANTIAL.

 

The notion of telling a story within a story is not new but giving it that documentary "making of" twist is unique. The STORY has become a HOMAGE to those fillmmakers that marked our SOCIETIES, LEONE in particular, how little we know about them and how much they helped shape our minds as filmmakers and as an audience. It is also a tribute to 'independent filmmaking' with all its unexpected ups and downs and how, with the will to come together against all odds, we can achieve our dream. Here's to the DREAM.

 

 

BY IT"S NATURE,

America is an ever evolving nation;

not merely politically and economically, but socially, philosophically, and ethically.

As the millenial generation comes of age in an increasingly globalized world, it is time to ask:

What is the story of the American immigrant in the twenty-first century?

It is sure to be different; as sure as the American culture changes,

so will the experience of those entering it change.

This film asks, how is the experience of the artist affected by integration

(and inevitable clash) of culture,

and what do the values of America offer the immigrant and the artist?

 

 

 

 

I'VE ALWAYS

wanted to tell a story about making a film but never knew the context in which to do it until Dan Thorens presented me "Leonesome Love" .

I could see myself through the eyes of Jonas - a documentary filmmaker unable to sustain himself while trying to tell compelling human stories.  Now he finally receives his big break in the most unlikely of circumstances - with an opportunity to have his film premiere at a MAjor Film Festival.  An ironic twist to how unpredictable success can come in such an ever-changing volatile industry.

What I'm also drawn to is how filmmakers influence our storytelling perspectives so much so that we choose to emulate their approaches - (Sergio Leone, Jean Luc-Godard) yet end up creating unique styles that add another layer to their canvas: the screen.

I think the filmmaking perspective from the US to Mexico has been limited and this story merges the two very different cultures into an original and un-pioneered way. 

I'm excited to see this film come to light.

​

 

AFTER 

my first reading of "Leonesome Love", I liked very much and accepted to work on it.

I love the originality of the plot and characters.

The drug trafficking scene in Mexico is very prevalent, especially nowadays.

 

The first thing that caught my attention was Luis,

because we Mexicans and, I think, people from other countries,

conceive Mexican drug lords as a personification of wickedness and darkness.

But Luis is anything but that.

He's a sensitive character, despite his occupation and more evident traits,

and in his deepest desires, although he can't express it,

he has the sensitivity of a true artist. His brother Rodrigo expresses it for him.

 

I was happy when Alex and Dan approached me to ask for my impression and input

as a Mexican screen-writer.

For a Mexican audience, whom this film aims at reaching as well,

it is important to keep the Mexican scenes and characters as authentic as possible.

I look foreward to seeing this project come to the big screens.