November 3, 2007 - Join our celebration of New Mexican Cinema with two of its brightest lights – Diego Luna and Carlos Cuarón. Both stars speak at the National Emerging Latino Filmmakers’ Conference, before Luna presents his directorial debut, “Chavez”. A "Conversation with Diego Luna: actor, producer, director" conducted by Delfin Vigil will follow. Then, the anticipated Premier of “El búfalo de la noche/The Night Buffalo”, from the Oscar-nominated screenwriter and author Guillermo Arriaga, and starring Luna as a young man whose lust for beautiful women leads him down a path of deception and betrayal. You’ll also have the chance to see the retrospective of his work including the - now classic - “Y tu mamá también”, which brought Mexican cinema back into the international frame and made Luna and Cuarón names recognized around the globe!

Diego Luna’s spoke exclusively with ILFF, about his directorial debut “Chavez” and his participation in the International Latino Film Festival.

ILFF: Most people know you as an actor, but you’ve just made your directorial debut with a fabulous documentary about the famous Mexican boxer JC Chavez. Chavez will be showing at the International Latino Film Festival in San Francisco in November. What appealed to you about the JC Chavez’ story?

DL: I was never a boxing fan, but I was a JC Chavez’s fan. It’s difficult to explain what Julio represented to each Mexican, the whole country would stop to see him fight. This was maybe, the only good news we had. There was a huge opportunity with this story to talk about my country in a time where everything was happening. It’s definitely the root of present-day Mexico, and it’s a time we shouldn’t forget.

ILFF: You have been a star in Mexico for many years, but after your roles in Y tu mama también and then starring alongside Salma Hayek (Frida) and Tom Hanks (Terminal) and now Mr. Lonely (screening at ILFF 07), you are a star in the US as well. But was it important to tell this very Mexican story as your first film as director?

DL: The movie always talks about yourself somehow, it doesn’t matter what the theme is. For me, this story gave me the opportunity to talk about the recurrent issues in my life that worry me: fame and success, the relation between fame and power, as well as heroes demystification, and a father son’s relationship.

ILFF: Is there a significant difference between the way Mexican film industry works and the US industry? And do you prefer to work in one or the other?

DL: The only thing I know is that I like to do cinema, where it takes place is the least of my worries, what really matters is the story and it’s director, the rest just comes in by itself. The big difference between our industries is that the US film industry is, in a way, is a “healthy industry,” and ours isn’t. We haven’t made cinema into a profitable business for producers.

ILFF:So now that you have directed your first film, what did you find the most difficult thing about making the transition from actor to director?

DL: To convince people to believe in you, to convince yourself, and to not let insecurity stop you.

ILFF: You have started a documentary festival, Ambulante, and a production company, Canana, with Gael Garcia Bernal. Both have the mission to raise awareness about the documentary genre in Mexico and support young film makers (among a variety of other goals). We at ILFS have a similar goal, with our emerging Latino Filmmaker’s Conference, What are your most important words of advice for emerging filmmakers?

DL: I think documentaries are a great tool for young people to find their own voice. I recommend anyone to try it.

ILFF: You are a featured artist in this years International Latino Film Festival 07. How does it feel to have your body of work as an actor and director all displayed in one place at the tender age of 27?

DL: It’s unreal, I can’t think too much about that, I’m in danger of going insane…all I can say is that I’m really grateful.

ILFF: You will be a guest at the festival, what are you looking forward to most about coming to San Francisco and the ILFF?

DL: I love the city, visiting and showing the selected movie really excites me. Festival are a necessity, really. It’s important that we come together to celebrate the existence of cinema, and what we are creating.

ILFF: What is your plan for the future? Will you return to acting? Or are you itching to get back into the director’s chair?

DL: Yes. I think I will be directing something, but still don’t know what it will be. Meanwhile, I’ll continue acting, which I enjoy a lot, continue producing at Canana, and keep living and enjoying every moment. In November I’ll hopefully visit my friends in California and drink from their wine!