05 · 19 · 15

Special Screening of FICM at the Cannes Critics’ Week 2015

Paula Amor, Coordinadora de Difusión (@Paulitamor)

As part of the 54th Critics’ Week, FICM presented a special screening of Mexican work. At 2:30pm (French time) on Tuesday 19th May at the ‘Espace Mirimar’, official site of the Cannes Critics’ Week, FICM screened four short films from the 2014 edition of the festival.

– Nunca regreses / Never Come Back by Leonardo Díaz (Best Film in the Michoacán Section)
– Ramona by Giovanna Zacarías (Best Short Film)
– El palacio/ The Palace, by Nicolás Pereda (Official Selection FICM 2014)
– ¿Por qué el recuerdo? / The Solitude of Memory by Juan Pablo González (Official Selection FICM 2014)

Present at the screening were Giovanna Zacarias (director of Ramona), Jorge Luis Linares Martínez (DoP of Nunca regreses), Juan Pablo González (director of ¿Por qué el recuerdo?), Adrian Bará (DoP of ¿Por qué el recuerdo?), Maximiliano Cruz and Sandra Gómez (producers of El palacio).

When we interviewed the filmmakers, they expressed their excitement at having their films screened in this unique space, and the importance of such a heightened international exposure. They also thanked FICM for our confidence in, and support of, their work.

• Giovanna Zacarias: I always dreamed of coming to Cannes, but never thought I would make it here as a director. It’s amazing, I’m so grateful to the Morelia Film Festival, IMCINE and the Cannes Film Festival for having chosen me. Being here and presenting my work is a gift.

• Jorge Luis Linares: I’m really happy and exited. Thank you so much to the Morelia Film Festival.

• Juan Pablo González: I feel really happy and honored to be here. This was always a very small film, so it is a great surprise to be here. We’re really delighted.

• Maximiliano Cruz: This has been a great edition of Cannes, especially since we have been able to present El palacio at the Critics’ Week. I’d like to thank the Morelia Film Festival; they have opened up a really important space for promoting Mexican cinema. Being able to show El palacio to such a diverse audience, in this space where so many things come together, is great. I’m delighted about it.

The screening was presented by Charles Tesson, Artistic Director of the Critics’ Week, and Daniela Michel, General Director of FICM. Jorge Sánchez, director of IMCINE, and Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, President of FICM, were also present.

Daniela Michel said: “It is a great honor to be here. I’m very happy that after eleven years, this space continues to bring great joy and excitement to young Mexican filmmakers. This makes me feel that all of the hard work over the years was worth it.”

Charles Tesson, who has been to FICM various times and in 2010 was part of the Mexican Short Film Jury, explained that the Critics’ Week and the Morelia Film Festival have enjoyed a partnership since 2003. “I am very proud that we are screening these short films. I am delighted with the alliance between the Critics’ Week and the Morelia Film Festival, which has been going for 11 years now. It is an important link, since both festivals share a mission to promote the work of talented young filmmakers. We are really happy.”

To commemorate the alliance between the Critics’ Week and FICM, the two festivals also put on a party to celebrate the end of the Critics’ Week (La última noche). This party has become an important meeting point for guests, actors, filmmakers and important figures from the international film community at the Cannes Film Festival.

The presence of FICM at the Cannes Film Festival continues to grow and develop, promoting and celebrating Mexican cinema at an international level.