Masterclass with Alfonso Cuarón
After the Masterclass with Clint Eastwood, it was the turn of the Mexican director, Alfonso Cuarón, winner of seven Oscars for Gravity, to talk about his experiences as a filmmaker with the French critic, Michel Ciment. The director commented his debuts, choice of films and relationship with the American film industry, going from being cheerful and amused to moved. Here are some extracts.
About his debuts as a filmmaker
I come from a middle-class family and I grew up at a time when the golden age of cinema was over in Mexico. Cinema was my survival instinct, I needed it. I wouldn't recommend the path I took to anyone.
About his relationship with Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro was the assistant of the film on which I was also working. As technicians, we already had a reputation. Del Toro was said to be a genius and I was jealous of him. We then met each other, knowing fine well who the other person was, and we began working together.
About his first film, Sólo con tu pareja (Love in the Time of Hysteria)
AIDS was rampant in Mexico at the time, and there was a lot of homophobia. I directed this comedy to go against preconceived ideas.
About his relationship with the USA
I wasn't meant to leave Mexico, but I was a father and needed money. I was no longer eligible to receive financial aid in Mexico, so when someone offered me a job in Hollywood, I seized the opportunity.
About his first experiences in Hollywood
After two films in Hollywood, I needed time alone. Hollywood had convinced me that no-one would want to hire me as a film director and I believed that. I was disappointed with what I was doing, so I started watching the films that inspired me when I started out. Making Y tu mamá también (And Your Mother Too) helped me find myself again and rediscover my own country.
About the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
I knew nothing about Harry Potter. I watched the first film and wasn't impressed. I went to see Guillermo Del Toro and he was the one who advised me to accept the proposal. He couldn't believe that I was in two minds about making this film.
About the film Gravity
I had finally gained the wisdom and security to be able to direct this film the way I wanted to. It was a feature film that I really wanted to make, for once.
