Hey folks, Harry here... Our pals at COLLIDER broke word that Alfonso Cuaron is busy working with Participant Media on A Film With No Name... no, that's not a title, though it ought to be. No, it's one of those Untitled Projects, but the press release they got up in TORONTO told them that the film would be set in Mexico City during the 1970s. We also know from the press release that it'll focus on a family living there at that time. Cuaron is a decade older than me and was born in Mexico City. Collider speculates that this film will be deeply personal. I hold there hasn't been a film that Cuaron didn't make personal. He's not the type of director that doesn't put his soul in to every moment of the films he makes. Apparently Cuaron is quoted as saying "The film is close to his heart" in the press releae.
But in truth - we know next to nothing at this date about the film. There's no indication that this is autobiographical. We know it begins shooting this fall, but we've no concept of the cast or age of the main characters. Or even if it's a straight drama or a suspense film or a fantasy.
I visited Mexico City every year from 1975-1982. My parents loved Mexico, Central America and South American culture intensely. My 1st Grade Christmas Break, my parents requested that I be allowed to accompany them on a 3 month trip where I had to keep a journal where I did a one page illustration and one page written description of what I did that day. That was 77... that was the trip we went all the way to Tikal, Guatemala... the Rebel Base. But Mexico City, I remember the smell... We'd walk the streets, smelling the burning lead gas from the cars... it had a sweet smell. But it'd go away when we'd turn to walk through in an indoor Mercado that was so incredibly fragrant... unlike any American Grocery or Market place I've ever been. People sitting on sidewalks making tortillas on wood fired bricks in front of them. We always made an effort, every trip down, to see a movie there. I believe that trip we saw an advance screening of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA which apparently Universal was testing down there. But my most magical memory...
In 1977... We went to a Mexico City Circus... and they had the Mechanical KONG from the Dino DeLaurentis KING KONG... all the motorcycle stunts, the elephants were all reacting to the Kong moving its arms and eyes... it was just chest up. This was also the first time I saw Motorcycle stunts - and as an Evel Knieval geek - watching a man on a motorcycle crossing a tight rope, and then entering the "Juala De La Muerte" - the Cage of Death. Which is one of those metal balls that they ride their motorcycles in defying gravity and being ultimo badasses. The ball was situated between the paws of KONG and... it seemed like the Elephants were worshipping KONG... Seriously... I had just turned 5 years old - and this was the greatest fucking thing I ever saw. Mexico City of the Seventies was a magical place to me. Those blessed Diego Rivera Murals... I never knew art could get that big. The International District with the Embassies, we ate in restaurants with the best food from around the world.
I loved it. Of course, being a kid... it all was magic to me. I've no idea what Cuaron will do, but through his eyes... I expect nothing less than the magic a filmmaker can give you to transport you to another place and time.
This is very good news.
Keep it cool,
Harry
