Queens World Film Festival 2019 – Los Aeronautas (The Aeronauts)
A tribe survives in the middle of the desert on the meager pickings of a barren landscape. Soo’goh, the weakest member of the clan, seeks to overcome all obstacles and to reach the green pastures of the paradise that they all yearn for.
Interview with Director/Animator/Editor/Writer León Fernández
Watch Los Aeronautas (The Aeronauts) here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I had the need to express my inner thoughts through storytelling using the media I love, stop motion animation.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Hopefully, you will empathize with the characters and, although the story is set on a fantasy world, you will see the similarities with our society and how humankind relies on its religious leaders.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
In this case, my film is about religion (pick one), how everybody has the need to believe in something/someone, and how that need feeds the greed of some false leaders. It is a universal theme that I think everybody could relate to on a personal level.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script developed in a few months. Although the idea was there, changing every now and then in the 2 years before writing the script. We didn't start with the film until we were sure we had the script we wanted, so the script has not changed after, apart from a few at a technical aspects.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The short film had a good festival run. It almost finished its film festival route and it won the most prestigious award in Mexico, the Ariel Award, among others. It was also the most internationally awarded Mexican short film of 2017.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Although as a creator it is always important to get recognition, I was not expecting the highly positive response. So yes, I was surprised. I also had some constructive criticism from other fellow animators, which I am thankful since I know I still have a lot to learn as a filmmaker.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Mainly to get more people to know my work and so they can see there is a growing animation movement in Mexico.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Film festival directors and journalists
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would be happy if the audience finds the theme interesting and starts debates in their personal loves.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
The film is centered on religious institutions, so you would not need much to start a debate on it.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Right now we are preparing another short film, a stop motion animation, which would start preproduction later this year. We are writing the script of a feature film.
Interview: March 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Los Aeronautas (The Aeronauts)
A tribe survives in the middle of the desert on the meager pickings of a barren landscape. Soo’goh, the weakest member of the clan, seeks to overcome all obstacles and to reach the green pastures of the paradise that they all yearn for.
Length: 11:00
Director: León Fernández
Producer: Juan José Medina
Writer: Salvador Delgadillo, León Fernández
Facebook: Los Aeronautas
Made in association with: Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE), OUTIK animation studio