Key Takeaways from the Masterclass
Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios, known for 'Güeros' and 'The Kitchen', delivered a compelling masterclass at the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) on July 6, 2026. Despite a delayed start due to Colombia's World Cup loss, he captivated the audience with reflections on loss, resilience, and the state of cinema.
On Loss and Resilience
Ruizpalacios began by reciting Elizabeth Bishop's poem 'One Art' to address the collective disappointment over Colombia's defeat. He shared how his sons' obsession with soccer taught them to lose with grace, a lesson he applies to filmmaking: 'Losing is far more common than winning. Accepting that a film won't meet expectations is part of becoming resilient.'
Upcoming Projects and Adaptations
He discussed his Netflix adaptation of Carlos Fuentes' 'Aura', describing it as a reinterpretation rather than a literal translation. Another project, 'The Transmigration of Bodies' by Yuri Herrera, is a Mexico City noir set during an epidemic of sadness, which he called 'almost prophetic' for its pre-COVID themes. The film already has co-producers from Spain, France, and Chile.
Challenges of 'The Kitchen'
Reflecting on his black-and-white film 'The Kitchen', Ruizpalacios called it his 'problem child'. Financing took years, coordinating an international cast required a month of rehearsals, and U.S. distribution was tough due to its immigration theme.
Co-Production and Independent Cinema
He emphasized that co-production is the reality of modern filmmaking, especially for non-mainstream cinema. 'Public funding alone can't finance a film anymore. You have to piece together financing from different sources. It's the only way to survive if you're making non-hegemonic cinema.'
Critique of Hollywood and AI
Ruizpalacios argued that Hollywood has reached a 'breaking point' with its reliance on sequels and reboots. On AI, he said: 'This wholesale embrace is dangerous. The point isn't only the result—the point is the process. That's what the human experience is.' He called for independent cinema as an act of resistance.
The Trojan Horse Approach
He advocated for creating 'Trojan horses'—works that smuggle anti-establishment ideas within commercial frameworks, inspired by Martin Scorsese's observations of European directors in 1940s-50s Hollywood. He even fantasized about making a film for TikTok in 15-second episodes.
FAQ
What did Alonso Ruizpalacios say about AI in filmmaking?
He called the rush toward AI dangerous, emphasizing that the creative process itself is valuable, not just the result.
What does 'Trojan horse' mean in cinema according to Ruizpalacios?
It refers to smuggling anti-establishment ideas and complex art within commercial entertainment, inspired by Martin Scorsese's observations of 1940s-50s Hollywood directors.
Which upcoming projects did Ruizpalacios mention?
He is adapting Carlos Fuentes' novel 'Aura' for Netflix and Yuri Herrera's 'The Transmigration of Bodies', a Mexico City noir set during an epidemic.