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El Espectador 12 March 2009
The fact of having grown up in the Mexican artistic way has influenced Diego Luna so that he is one of the most important modern actors of his country. In 2001, his performance in Y tu mamá también, with his friend and colleague Gael García, gave him the international projection that has allowed him to work in Hollywood. Nevertheless, the success does not remove him from his native country and along with García Bernal, he stars in Rudo y Cursi, a movie directed by Carlos Cuarón, the scriptwriter of Y tu mamá también. In all these years you had the opportunity to work with big Hollywood stars and now you come back with the Cuarón brothers and Gael García. How has this experience been? Diego: It was a delight. A thousand things happened to everyone in these years, but we kept in contact all this time and we have worked very closely in these 8 years. To join once again to tell a story was very special, undoubtedly something we were waiting for longingly. What changes and evolutions were perceived in the recording of Rudo y Cursi with regard to Y tu mamá también? Diego: We are different, much more mature now and in control of what we do. Perhaps in Y tu mamá the relationship with Alfonso was more of learning than it is now. Presently, Gael and I have gone a way that allows us to collaborate more and be more involved in all the processes. In the film Luna is Beto, ‘the rough’, where García is Tato, ‘the corny’. The two are brothers and united in the disire to be famous, the first on the football [soccer] field and the second in music. How do you describe Beto? Diego: He is a charming idiot, a very sincere guy with an overwhelming simpleness. Of these transparent people. Rudo y Cursi has achieved a success without precedent in Mexico. How do you think the film will be received in other countries? Diego: I think it will go well, it has everything to succeed. It is very entertaining and charming, but the drama of the brothers especially turns out to be very universal. The producers say that with a sharp look, Rudo y Cursi reflects and questions some attitudes such as: brotherhood put to test, the rivalry for the love to a woman and a mother, facing surmounting social climbing, and skin-deep weaknesses. One who bets for passion and one for talent. Diego Luna’s alternate projects One might think that the actor doesn’t rest. There is constant news about him and his activities. In less than a year he took part in the movies Sólo quiero caminar, in which he was nominated for a Spanish Goya award, Milk, along side Sean Penn, he released Rudo y Cursi, he promoted the 'Ambulant' festival of documentaries with Gael García and acted in theater. As he himself says, “life is more and more complicated”. Last November 26th John Malkovich released El Buen Canario (The Good Canary) in Insurgents Theater in Mexico City. What was your experience working with Malkovich? Diego: We are now just finishing the tour and the nostalgia is stronger and stronger. It has been a wonderful trip full of growth and learning. John is a theater guy in all senses and The Canary has been a unique experience, nothing like climbing on the stage with a good play and good staging. What can you tell us about your roll and experience working in Milk? Diego: It was an unforgettable experience. Gus Van Sant is a wonderful director who clearly knows it. The story of Harvey [Milk] is without a doubt very important nowadays. He’s a guy that promoted respect and tolerance about all things. Someone we can learn a lot from. On the other side of the cameras the Mexican has performed as a producer for Deficit, the film directed by Gael García Bernal, and Sólo quiero caminar, the Spainsh film by Agustín Díaz, among other projects. Do you like the facet of producer? Diego: I enjoy it very much, it’s a great way to be involved with cinema without living the exposure that an actor lives. I adore accompanying a project from its beginnings. Is there some director you’ve dreamed of working with or a role to play? Diego: The Coen brothers… that would be wonderful. I admire them a lot. Translated by
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