9
talent
campus
guadalajara
WELCOMETOTALENTCAMPUSGUADALAJARA
Persuasion and seduction, the art of storytelling
I think that Latin American film festivals, with the
exception of Cartagena or Mar de Plata and referring
to those that began at the same time or later than the
Havana and Guadalajara festivals, began more out of
necessity than of inspiration; the need to see and be
seen and sheltered, the will power and folly of movie
men and women. The need in Guadalajara emerged
from a group of moviemakers and movie fans with
the core presence of Jaime Humberto Hermosillo and
AnnemarieMeyer andmany others aswell asGuillermo
Del Toro as projectionist, ticket taker, chauffer, handing
out flyers and occasionally as a film director. It was in
the mid 80’s when little in the industry was made with
quality. So-called Independent Films – mostly shot in
16 mm – proved there was talent, the capacity to take
creative risks and a patent will to join the political and
social movement of the seventies, including academics
and workers at UNAM, electrical, nuclear and railroad
workers, farm workers and organized neighborhoods.
There was a film industry with strong presence in the
local market (35 percent of all spectators inmovie theaters). The blossoming independent films
together with thework of recognized cineastes completed the image ofMexicanmovies abroad.
At least that was the panorama as I saw it… It seems similar tome now. There aremore names
and talents. Film schools sprout up likemushrooms. There are digital technologies used by the
young and not so young. Our intention at the Festival has been to grow an environment that was
limited by training professionals and increasing the offer through our association with the Berlin
International Film Festival that originated Talent Campus Guadalajara. This is where 70 young
men and women fromMexico, Central America and the Caribbean will reflect and discuss with
fifty tutors of the stature of Brian de Palma. Costa Gravas, Bern Lichtenberg, John Malcovich
and others about film narrative or, as Garcia Marquez remarked, “What does a tale tell?” We
have also created DocuLab where 30 documentary makers from Latin America (and over 30
auditors) withdocumentaries in themontageprocesswill participate. Nineof themwill bechosen
to be dissected by tutors (documentary professionals such as Nicolas Echevarria, EmilioMaille,
Everardo Gonzalez and Juan Carlos Rulfo) and their fellow participants. There will be lectures
(howunfortunate that there isnot amoredemocraticname) byAlbertMaysles, FernandoSolanas
andothers. Therearemanymoreactivities: sections, fiestas,meals, parties, dancinganddreams.
Therewill alwaysbe someone saying that there is toomuch… I don’t think so;wemaybe largeor
small but diverse and proactive, interactingwith each need and each public. Everyonewill go to
the dance, movie, forum or laboratory that they aremost attracted given their capacity to learn,
fall in love, have fun, grow and evenmultiply. They’ll never take that away from us!
JorgeSanchez Sosa
Guadalajara International Film Festival
General Director
