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Faustino Alanís Presents His Debut LOS DÍAS DE PONCHO at the 24th FICM

Katia Barragán

As part of the programming for the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), the film Los días de Poncho, the debut feature by Mexican director Faustino Alanís, was screened. The film is competing in the Mexican Feature Film section of the Official Selection.

The story follows Poncho, a teenager who spends his days rapping on the streets of Mexico City. When his father discovers that he has dropped out of school, he forces him to work alongside him, delivering gas cylinders throughout the city.

Caught between his music and the burdens of growing up, Poncho must find his own path. Following the screening, a press conference was held, attended by the film’s director, actors Trip OM, Adrián Vázquez, and Asur Zagada, as well as producers Circe Rodríguez and Mariana Erdman.

The director thanked the audience for attending and noted that the film served as his graduation thesis from the Center for Cinematographic Training (CCC) in Mexico City. He also spoke of the excitement the entire team felt about presenting the film at the festival. Regarding the story, he explained that it stemmed from personal experiences and research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding this, he explained: “I realized that the gas delivery service never stopped during the pandemic [...] I saw a man teaching his son how to connect the gas hose because, due to the pandemic, he wasn't going to school. That's where that first image came from, which later ended up in this project.”

Regarding the freestyle elements, Alanís added that much of the credit belongs to the actors, who contributed to writing the dialogue and, at times, improvised scenes that ultimately made it into the final cut. 

When asked about the decision to avoid the stereotypical rapper persona that the audience might have expected—as well as to move away from conventional depictions of parental figures—the director noted, “It is precisely about dignifying the art, dignifying the craft, and presenting a portrayal of a real Mexican family.” In this regard, he explained that he sought to depict a loving, hardworking, and warm family.

Vázquez shared his experience of playing a father who perhaps does not fit the most common cinematic archetype: a man who is direct and strong-willed, yet also actively present in his son’s life.

Zagada, meanwhile, spoke about the experience of portraying a mother with a life of her own—a departure from the typical tropes seen on screen. She is a woman who loves her work and her independence, while also being fortunate enough to have a home and a family.

Finally, Alanís thanked the festival for its openness, his team for joining him during the screening, and the attendees for taking the time to enjoy the film.