Mexican actor Alfonso Herrera stood out as one of the main figures of the 2024 Los Cabos International Film Festival, presenting his most recent project, Tesis sobre una domesticación. This film, an adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Argentine writer Camila Sosa Villada, has been one of the most talked-about titles of the year for its thematic and narrative depth.

A Collaborative Work of Height

During the conversation Mexico: A Cinema Without Borders, Herrera shared his experience in the adaptation of the work and highlighted the relevance of working directly with the original author. “It was an act of brutal generosity to have Camila there. She accompanied us during the adaptation, enriching each scene with her vision and sensitivity,” said the actor.

The collaboration allowed us to build a solid script that served as a basis for exploring the emotional and psychological complexities of the characters, something that Herrera highlighted as essential for his acting process.

Alfonso Herrera's Approach

Herrera revealed that his preparation for the role involved a deep connection with the original text, which allowed him to fully understand the character's motivations and conflicts. “Reading, landing the character and then letting it go” was the approach the actor used for his interpretation.

“When you have the opportunity to work on projects that challenge you, not only professionally, but also emotionally, you find the reward and the great gift,” said Herrera, making clear his passion for getting involved in meaningful stories.

A Reflection on Love, Freedom and Identity

Thesis on a Domestication not only highlights Alfonso Herrera's talent, but also his commitment to stories that open spaces for reflection. The film addresses issues such as the limits of love, personal freedom and identity, leading the viewer to question universal concepts from an intimate and provocative perspective.

Herrera: An Actor in Constant Reinvention

With this project, Alfonso Herrera reaffirms his place as one of the most versatile and committed actors of today. His ability to reinvent himself and take on complex roles consolidates him as a key figure in contemporary Mexican cinema.

Are you ready to explore the emotions and questions that Tesis sobre una domesticación promises to raise?

The Los Cabos International Film Festival: Encuentros de cine presented a special screening of the film Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie (2022) in collaboration with Hotel El Ganzo, as part of its Movie Nights program. The screening, which took place at the iconic Jetty of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina, offered a unique cinematic experience in a stunning setting, under the stars and surrounded by the majesty of the region's natural landscape.

The night was a celebration of film culture, with the Latin American premiere of Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie, directed by acclaimed Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov, who narrates the life of the provocative Russian poet and novelist Edouard Limonov.

With this collaboration, the Los Cabos International Film Festival and Hotel El Ganzo seek to consolidate their commitment to promoting avant-garde cinema in a context that fuses the natural beauty of the destination with art, film and music.

Movie Nights: Open-air cinema in San José del Cabo

During the last half of the year, Hotel El Ganzo has been carrying out the Movie Nights program with Cinema Vagabundo, a film club from Cabo San Lucas that has been showing free open-air films for 13 years.

Reliving history: "El Ganzo Film Club"Movie Nights are also a revival of one of the Hotel's first artistic projects, "El Ganzo Film Club," which took place between January 2013 and July 2014. During that time, El Ganzo Film Club offered screenings of popular and cult films every Tuesday, becoming a reference point for local film buffs and tourists alike.

The 2024 Los Cabos International Film Festival reaffirms its commitment to new narratives in Mexican cinema, highlighting female participation in the Encuadres Mexicanos section, where productions such as Nómadas de la 57, No nos moverán, Corina, and La Raya were presented. These stories, full of fresh and courageous proposals, offered a platform to reflect on the challenges and advances of women in the film industry.

The Voice of the Protagonists

In a meeting with the press, actresses and representatives such as Clara Fregoso, Luisa Huertas, Naian González Norvind, and Mónica del Carmen discussed the evolution of the role of women in Mexican cinema.

Naian González Norvind, protagonist of Corina, spoke about his interest in characters that combine strength and vulnerability, highlighting that cinema should "tell the world as it is, not as it should be."

Luisa Huertas recalled that, although women have been present in film for years, they have only recently reached key positions in production. “We have earned it. There may be machismo, but they have already realized that women can be excellent photographers, scriptwriters, directors and more.”

Mónica del Carmen, star of La Raya, emphasized how narratives have begun to change, allowing women to take ownership of their stories and spaces. “Women have resisted and fought; nothing has been given to us.”

Machismo in Film: A Current Issue

Despite the progress, the actresses agreed that machismo remains a challenge in the industry. Huertas and Fregoso stressed the need to continue using this word because the problem persists. “It is important to transform this reality,” said Fregoso, whose documentary Nómadas de la 57 portrays the life of a truck driver in a predominantly male environment, showing the coexistence and challenges of the guild.

A Cinema that Connects with Reality

The cinema presented in Los Cabos seeks to be more than entertainment: it has become a tool to reflect, challenge and transform society. The actresses highlighted that the stories of less visible women are gaining ground, allowing for a greater connection between viewers and the realities faced by many communities.

A Natural Setting for Change

With the impressive landscape of Los Cabos as a backdrop, the festival not only celebrates cinema, but also promotes a lasting change in gender dynamics within the film industry.

This dialogue and the productions exhibited are testimony to the fact that Mexican cinema is moving towards a more inclusive and representative horizon, where women are writing, directing and starring in their own stories

A press conference was held at the Los Cabos International Film Festival in which it was announced that Melissa Barrera and Manuel García Rulfo will be honored with the prestigious Sin Fronteras Award. This award recognizes those talents of the national film industry who have managed to transcend borders by bringing Mexican talent to the international stage, thus contributing to global cultural dialogue through the big screen.

Melissa Barrera highlighted the importance of promoting cultural diversity in the film industry and expressed her gratitude for being recognized with the Sin Fronteras Award. She underlined her commitment as an ambassador of Latin culture in Hollywood and her pride in representing Mexican talent internationally. In addition, he highlighted the role of cinema as a vehicle to build bridges between different cultures and promote inclusion on the big screen

For his part, Manuel García Rulfo has emphasized the importance of supporting and promoting Mexican cinema, as well as giving visibility to Latin talent in the international film industry. He highlighted the diversity and cultural richness of Mexico that is reflected in the stories told through cinema. He also expressed his gratitude for being able to contribute to the development and growth of the entertainment industry in his country and in the world.

The award will be presented by two iconic Mexican film producers, Nicolás Celis and Julio Chávezmontes, who have been fundamental in the projection of Mexican cinema at an international level. Their participation in this tribute reinforces the crucial role of Mexican creators in the construction of a global and inclusive film industry.

During the festival activities, the screening and question and answer session of the film Animal Humano was held, where there was an interesting dialogue between talent and the public. The main topics discussed were human nature, the relationship between humans and animals, ethics in genetic experimentation, and the responsibility of scientists. Topics such as artificial intelligence, evolution, and the perception of humanity in a changing world were also addressed. The interaction was dynamic and enriching, generating deep and provocative reflections on the human condition and our relationship with the natural environment.

The Los Cabos International Film Festival continues to reaffirm its mission of promoting Latin American cinema as a key piece in the global dialogue of the seventh art.