A lonely middle-aged optometrist writes a letter to his hypothetical future child, attempting to portray his true self.

Interview with Writer/Director Renato Moncayo Dávalos

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Something real was originally meant to be my film school thesis. Getting the money for the production became truly complicated and it ended up being my first professional film.

In that long process, the film and my self grew a lot. In the beginning, I wanted to talk about loneliness, disappointment and anger, but in the process of writing, I realized it was more a love story of some kind. A story about the need for conection, the eager for the other.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This is a film made with lots of love, we tried to make a very honest film. If you have felt loneliness of some kind this a story for you.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I wanted to talk about something that was truly close to me. In my case, this film turned out to be some kind of therapy. I wanted to talk about my feelings about my self. I think to believe that when a film is honest many people can relate to the story, because it´s human, and we all go through difficulties.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

This film is been a four-year journey for me. When I started writing I wanted to talk about disappointment and anger, but in the process, I found to be a much more tender story. I wrote eleven drafts for the film, once there the story did`t change much.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, people there where wonderful. We had a warm and very human response from many people.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Our film is about a man writing a letter to his son. After the screening, several people told me they were now thinking of getting home and writing a letter to their children. That´s just the most beautiful thing anyone could have told after seeing the film, I was very surprised and excited because I believe art is about communication and triggers people to communicate.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

To reach possible festival programmers, and getting the film know for the more American spectators.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Sales agents, film festival directors and journalists

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like it to be part of many festivals, I would like to be spread son many people can see it.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I wish I knew hahahahaha

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you very much, If you would like to see it please write to me so I can give a link to the film (with a password so only you can see it, of course).

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I´m working on a new script for a short, about a much younger character. A day in an 18-year girl´s life, dealing with sadness and her complicated relationship with people around her. I want to write about someone young this time, make the entire narrative around her, again, but in a very different way than with Something real, which is kind of a monologue, this time I need silence... perhaps.

I also want to give it a try on a play, I´ve always wanted to write a play.

Interview: August 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

Something real

A lonely middle-aged optometrist writes a letter to his hypothetical future child, attempting to portray his true self.

Length: 12:08

Director: Renato Moncayo Dávalos

Producer: Mauricio Calderón Mora

Writer: Renato Moncayo Dávalos

About the writer, director and producer:

RENATO MONCAYO DÁVALOS. Guadalajara, Mexico, 1990. Degree in audiovisual arts from the University of Guadalajara. Screenwriter and teacher. Expanded his training with courses in play-writing, acting theory, and criticism. Finalist in the National Screenwriting Competition of the Guanajuato International Film Festival. Winner of film production funds from CECA (state council for the culture and arts, Jalisco) and the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE). Something real, his directorial debut, premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.

Key cast: Alejandro Herrera (Optometrist), Ana Karen Sahagun (Client), Mauricio Cedeno (Rafa), Ruy Padilla (Boy), Jesus Hernandez (Old man), Paloma Dominguez (Ex wife)

Looking for: film festival directors, buyers, journalists

Facebook: Something Real

Hashtags used: #SomethingRealShort #alguienreal

Funders: Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), State Council for the culture and arts, Jalisco (CECA)

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Tour de Cine Francés, September 7 - October 18, several mexican cities; Shorts México (Festival Internacional de Cortos de México) September 4- 11, Mexico city.