He also discussed his upcoming projects,Contrabandwhich opens this weekend,Casa de mi PadrewithWill FerrellandNeill Blomkamp’sElysium.
Hit the jump for the full interview.
Can you talk about your role as producer and your collaboration with director Gerardo Naranjo?
CL
At what point did you come on board this project?
Diego Luna: Since the beginning, Id have to say.
We were doingRevolucion, the short films, and Gerardo was already thinking about doing this.
The thing with Gerardo is that we became family.
We participated in his second film which wasDrama/Mex.
We joined him in the middle of the process onDrama/Mex.
But then, we didVoy a Explotarand then we did this.
In a way, were always talking about whats next.
What shall we do?
He became part of the family, even though he still has his own company.
Its like Canana is his house and he lives here with us.
We were involved since it was an idea, and we were there supporting him.
I wish that lasts for a long time.
In film, normally what happens is that not many people work more than once.
Normally, it breaks couples.
It doesnt make them.
(laughs) But, in this case, its the other way around.
Luna: She is just trying to survive.
Its not that she doesnt do anything.
Shes probably making the choices she believes are right.
She carries that with a lot of dignity also.
But, the basic thing she is doing the whole time is just trying to survive.
When you put someone in that position, probably not the best will come from them.
I believe today were kind of there as a society.
Theres no time to step back and see where we are.
How was this film received in Mexico?
Luna: Very, very well.
It started to grow and grow and grow.
The reactions were very passionate.
There were obviously people saying Why do we show this face of Mexico?
And there were other people saying Oh my God, I connected so well.
Yes, there was a strong connection with the audience.
I think its all about Gerardos point of view and honesty as a director.
I think you’re able to smell, you’re able to feel the director there.
What do you hopeMiss Balawill do in terms of raising the debate about what is happening today in Mexico?
Luna: I think film should raise questions, not give answers.
Otherwise, it sounds a little preachy to me.
It sounds a little pompous to venture to give an answer to people.
I mean, also, Im 32 years old and Im searching for many answers I dont have.
I think Gerardo is a guy that invites you to that journey.
Then, you share the reality with the other characters.
As producers, we choose who to work with and what films to get involved with.
Theres no rule, but it has to come from an honest place.
It has to come from a necessity.
This film is the closest you’re free to get to that.
This film is a reaction to an emotion we were all sharing.
Its still very subjective because this is still the point of view of a director.
But, film should always be about that, otherwise it will be news and no film.
But yes, film should come from there.
As an artist, do you feel a film like this can bring about social change?
Luna: Oh yeah.
But today, it changes every day.
Today, its little cells fighting for power.
Its like a war that has many faces.
One is the one between them fighting for territory.
The other is the one theyre having with the government.
And another is the one that thats creating.
We all allowed this to happen.
We all learn how to live, to co-exist, with this terrible level of violence and cruelty.
We wake up and we dont get surprised anymore.
When I say we, in fact, I shouldnt say we.
You produce, direct, write and act.
Which do you enjoy most?
Its the most personal process ever.
Its the most demanding one, but again, rewarding.
I think film is a world of directors.
Theater is a world of actors.
Or, theater is for actors as cinema is for directors.
I started in theater.
Filming is as complete as directing film.
Its as simple as that.
So, you are given all the tools.
Im not saying [theater] directors are not important.
Cinema is like that for directors.
you might create a great team.
For me, filmmaking is kind of the same way.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you are working on under the Canana banner?
We have a documentary film festival in Mexico, but its not a festival.
Its called Ambulante and it travels around Mexico showing documentaries.
This year were opening in California.
Can you talk about your other upcoming projects?
Luna: I am an actor in two films.
It’s something very different from everything I’ve done, but I enjoyed it.
It was the first time I spent a week doing a sequence.
It was this gunfight that lasted six days of shooting.
My wife didn’t believe me when I called her and said “I’m still shooting this.”
She would be like “Where the f*ck are you?”
“I’m still shooting the same truck and the same guy.”
And then, I’m doingCasa de mi Padrealso which is a crazy comedy.
Luna: (laughs) We did a lot of improvising, but his Spanish is really good.
You won’t be able to judge [until you see the film].
I don’t know how good your Spanish is… Luna: Oh, okay, so then you’ll be able to judge.
It was a fun shoot.
How crazy does it get?
Luna: Crazy, crazy!
It’s a crazy film.
What’s the craziest thing that happens?
Luna: The whole thing.
We were allowed to do everything.
Everything we did would have been judged like [we were] the most amateur actors ever.
In the film, the tone is very special.
You are allowed to go through every mistake possible and every cliche.
It’s crazy shit!
Are there any unusual surprises that audiences can look forward to?
Luna: The whole thing, for sure!
You’ve never seen something quite like this.
You’re also involved inElysium?
Luna: Yes, I shot that.
Can you talk about your character?
Luna: Not much.
The contracts they ask you to sign are longer than the script.
We are part of a process that is the shooting of the film.
So no, I cannot.
They don’t allow me to talk, but I had a great time.
I had a great time!
Did you seeDistrict 9?
I’ll do anything for this guy.
He’s an amazing director, I think.
Can you talk at all about what Neill Blomkamp is like to work with as a director?
Luna: I don’t know if I can.
They’re going to kill me if I start talking more about that than anything else.
Have you wrapped it yet or is it still ongoing?
Luna: I’m wrapped.
It’s a huge film and you, as an actor, are a little part of the process.
Have you seen any of the footage?
How did you first hear about it?
Luna: I got a script from my agent.
It was the conventional way of getting the film.
How does making a film like that compare to some of the other projects you’ve been involved in?
Luna: It’s completely different.
There is a lot.
Everything is planned and designed.
Luna: Yeah, what suddenly happens on the streets and what is suddenly happening to your locations.
It’s a completely different way of seeing cinema.
Many times, we have to work with what’s there, you know?
I have to say that as an actor, at the end, it’s kind of the same.
Producing is a completely different world.
But, as an actor, at the end, it’s the same.
At the end, the game is pretty much the same.
