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Fernando Moreno Presents EL CINE… CONVERSACIONES CON CINEASTAS LATINOAMERICANOS

Katia Barragán

As part of the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), the book El cine… Conversaciones con cineastas latinoamericanos (Cinema… Conversations with Latin American Filmmakers), by broadcaster and film critic Fernando Moreno, was presented.

The presentation included film director Elisa Miller and composer Tomás Barreiro, who joined Moreno in a conversation about film, communication, and the experiences that led to the publication.

Moreno began by thanking the attendees for their interest, as well as his guests, and Ibero 90.9—the radio station where he has spent a significant part of his career. He also shared some thoughts on the importance of cinema and social connection. “Cinema is the most important of the least important things. The best things in the world are movies and food. Cinema and food are the best possible excuse for people to get together,” Moreno remarked.

He explained that the book brings together around ten conversations he has had with different personalities in the film industry and that it is structured similarly to a movie. These include conversations with Miller and Barreiro, whom he described as brilliant people with whom he also shares teaching.

“I view cinema as a long conversation,” noted Moreno, reflecting on his 20 years of discussing film on Ibero 90.9 and his 32 years as a faculty member at the same institution.

He also acknowledged the presence of some of his former students in the audience. Later, she gave the floor to Elisa Miller, who recalled the beginning of her relationship with Moreno and highlighted how the passage of time has strengthened their connection and friendship. “Films are simply another attempt at communication,” she remarked.

The director was moved by the result of the book, particularly by its illustrations, which follow a different approach than what might be expected from a publication focused on conversations. The visual work was created by Santiago Mollao, who was also a student of Moreno’s.

During the discussion, Moreno addressed claims that books, radio, and cinema are dead. In this regard, he noted: "I think Morelia is a clear example that we are very far from seeing the death of cinema."

At another point, Elisa Miller spoke about the importance of film festivals, both for the screening and distribution of films and for holding events like this one. Although she acknowledged that FICM has been one of the most important spaces for her career, she also questioned the selection dynamics and gender inequalities that persist in the industry. In this regard, she posed the question: “Who decides who gets into the club and who doesn’t?”—referring to selection mechanisms that can limit opportunities for those who are at the start of their careers.

Barreiro shared some of the experiences involved in writing music for film, noting that the process depends, to a large extent, on the director’s vision. The composer, who has created the score for around 60 films, recalled that his first participation in FICM was with Lejanía (2013), by director Pablo Tamez.

He also discussed the role of artificial intelligence in music creation, emphasizing that the foundations of the creative process remain unchanged. As a point of reference, he cited the work of director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz, as well as the use of analog processes in film production.

The presentation concluded with a Q&A session that touched upon the experiences of Moreno, Miller, and Barreiro as educators, highlighting the value of dialogue between teachers and students as a form of learning.

One attendee acknowledged the respect Moreno shows for cinema and asked how he prepares for an interview. The host explained that the key lies in studying the guest, having confidence in one’s own work, and building the trust necessary to establish a horizontal conversation—one in which both participants can engage as equals.