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COCO Press Conference at the 15th FICM

Gabriela Martínez @GabbMartivel

"This film has changed my life, reconnected me with my family, traditions and roots," said Adrian Molina, director of COCO, during the discussion moderated by Daniela Michel, general director of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM). It was also attended by Lee Unkrich, co-director and Darla Anderson, producer of the inaugural film of the 15th FICM.

After Toy Story 3 (2010), Lee Unkrich had the initiative to make a film about the tradition of Day of the Dead. So, it was about six years ago and the whole production team did a thorough research to make this film. In this regard, Darla Anderson said that "people opened their hearts" and that allowed them to delve into the details that make this tradition something special for Mexican families.

The characters were inspired by personalities of Mexican popular culture such as Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Cantinflas and El Santo.

"For the music, we surrounded ourselves with Mexican specialists and musicians like Camilo Lara from Instituto Mexicano del Sonido," Unkrich said. "I'm a fan". In addition, Adrián Molina said he was grateful and proud of having had the opportunity to write a song in collaboration with Germaine Franco, composer of the songs of the film, which pick up rhythms of son Jarocho and huapango.

On how her perception of the day of the dead changed, Darla Anderson said she saw Day of the Dead as a celebration of life. "That has made me think about death differently," she concluded. For his part, Lee Unkrich said that working on COCO and knowing the meaning of this tradition, has made him value his family more and not to neglect them.

Regarding the political context that exists between Mexico and the United States, Lee Unkrich said that the production team is honored to release this film now, injecting positivity into these negative times.

Unkrich concluded by saying that "it is gratifying to know that our stories inspire new generations of filmmakers."