Continuing the living legacy of his father – Mexican writer and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga – he saved Mariana and Santiago Arriaga’s “A Cielo Abierto”, a story set in the 90s, which he co-directed as his first film. did; Will make its international debut as part of the official selection of the eightieth edition of the Venice International Film Festival
The story of two teenage brothers who embark on a journey together with their stepsister road journey Going across the border (Mexico and the United States) in search of the person responsible for the accident that led to the death of his father is the central plot of the film “A Cielo Abierto”, co-directed by the Arriaga brothers, Mariana and . Santiago, age 32 and 30, two communication specialists specializing in cinema, who grew up watching the stories and successes of their father (Guillermo Arriaga), nominated for “Amores Perros”, “21 Gramos” and “Babel” ( ) were responsible for the script. oscar for Best Screenplay).
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From Reel Ink, Typewriter Key and Imagery From the Creator of “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” (Best Screenplay) Cannes Film Festival), “A Cielo Abierto” was filmed between Saltillo and Piedras Negras, Coahuila with scenic performances by Federica García, Maximo Hollander and Theo Goldin; In addition to Julio Cedillo, Sergio Mayor Mori, Cecilia Suárez, Manolo Cardona and Julio Bracho.
under the production of K&S Films MexicoThe 117-minute drama seeks to answer whether the death of a loved one should be avenged when it is the result of an accident, and describes the ups and downs of the search. Death, sex, intimacy, love and complicity, issues that three young people face on a road trip filled with wild landscapes and violence. painted axes by the Arriaga brothers, who spoke with Zeta about his first feature film, in which he explores the profound consequences of grief and loss, and which will debut in Orizzonti Competitionpart of the official selection of the eightieth edition Venice International Film FestivalWill be held from 30 August to 9 September.
“In the center of the family of 35-year-old Guillermo Arriaga was born ‘a ciel abierto’, almost contemporary, with a youthful spirit, full of questions and passion. Related to Santiago, a film that turned out to be an adventure filming in the deserts, the towns of Coahuila and the extreme climate of 35 °C and below zero °C on the border of the United States with three natural protagonists.
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“Ever since we were kids, my father used to tell us about his thoughts and what he writes, and we are also a family that has traveled a lot on the road, crossing the wild landscape of northern mexico, He loved Coahuila, hunting and on those trips he told us stories. we fell in love with that world the settings, the characters and the odyssey that awaited them, and when Santiago graduated from university, we made the first co-directed short film, then, rearranging our father’s files, he found the script and suggested the idea of making our first film together; We finally filmed it in October 2022,” Mariana said of the tape that forced her to reflect on the decisions she makes when faced with pain and how they shape her path to liberation.
Regarding her father’s reaction when he proposed the idea of filming her script, “I think it was also an idea that all three of us developed, not that we imposed it, nor did he force it on us. is imposed; It’s a story that our father always wanted to direct, I think it was an act of love. ‘A Cielo Abierto’ is a film about two brothers who want to heal the pain of their father’s death, which is also part of my fear, and I think Mariana’s fear too, of losing our parents It is.” Santiago indicated.
, It should be understood as a very personal film, especially because of the familiarity with the settings…
“This story appealed to us, although it is not autobiographical, especially because of the landscapes of Coahuila, which are images we have been seeing for many years, it is a place we visit almost every year as a family I go to The places where we filmed were like home, people were very close, many friends helped, other people also appeared in the frame.
, Was it easy or challenging knowing so much about potential locations?
“It helped a lot, from the very beginning, we got to the Santa Cruz Ranch and filmed, a very good friend of my father passed away two years ago, but we are very close to his children, they are our cousins. are like In turn, we made a preliminary tour of the entire north of Coahuila, which has its own personality, calm and continuous living like the characters.
, What do you take away from this experience working with your father and brand new in Venice, what goes through your mind?
“Without a doubt, we are very happy with the work, processes and learnings we did, now the film will find its audience, we have already made it, it is already out to the world. I would not say that we are the other, but we are. On the other hand, I think it’s strengthened the family dynamic, we get closer to whatever project we do, which we already are, and have many conversations around it, or talk daily, on any schedule. But it has been a fascinating process to talk and discuss. On set, it became more familiar with my father and mother being there all the time,” explained Mariana.
the musical part has one leitmotif It is marking the feelings of the characters in the context of the 90s in northern Mexico, colored by northern music.
It should be noted that the Arriaga duo has been nominated by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences Ariel Award For the short films “B-167-980-098” and “Libre de Culpa”, the Mexican filmmaker will represent Mexico in the Italian competition with Michele Franco’s “Memory” and starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, who will compete. . golden lion, maximum award of Displaywhere he was already recognized with Best Director and Grand Jury Prize by “n”new orders” (2020); disputing the honor against David Fincher’s film “The Killer”; “Ferrari” by Michael Mann; “Master” by Bradley Cooper; “Priscilla” by Sofia Coppola; “Poor Creatures” by Yorgos Lanthimos; “The Count” by Pablo Larrain; and “Evil Does Not Exist” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
Out of competition will be “Pet Shop Boys” by Olmo Schnabel, son of painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, who will make his directorial debut with Dario Yazbek Bernal in the lead role alongside Jack Irv, Willem Dafoe, Peter Sarsgaard and Maribel. Verdu shown. Not to be forgotten that compatriot José Pablo Escamilla will compete bi college cinema along with “Lumbransueno”, while “Deep Crimson” by Arturo Ripstein would be featured in the selection. Venice Classics.