Onámuh, 22min,. Mexico
Directed by Miguel Ángel Vives Ponzanelli
Onámuh, a humanoid marked by past abuses, searches for resources to survive. Árret, a deity of the earth, helps him and takes him to her lair, where Onámuh finds the energy he needed. However, his need turns into an addiction, leading him to abuse Árret and make her his prisoner. As the environment rapidly deteriorates, Onámuh must make a fatal decision due to his accumulated guilt.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Philosophically, I've always loved the ideas Nietzsche had around nature and the way Humans perceive it in terms of an ego out of proportions. We humans tend to try and trap nature in our supposed "reason" but, in that futile attempt, we unleash a destructive force that tries to compensate the shameful fact that we understand almost nothing in the greater scheme of the natural universe. I wanted to portray that struggle with visual metaphors, symbols and allegories.

This brings me to the social part of the motivation to do the film. I'm mexican and, inside my country, we have deep problems concerning the destruction and exploitation of the natural environment. So, I saw an opportunity to try and create awareness of the problem that affects Mexico but also the entire planet as well. A good film can change perspectives and put people into action. Hopefully, this short film generates a bit of that in the audiences that watch it.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It took me and my team around one year and a half.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Surreal Ignorance

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Production was the best part but also the most difficult one. We filmed in the jungle inside Veracruz. To access one of the locations we had to make a 70 meter rappel down beside a roaring waterfall. So, all the members of the crew, equipment, lights, art, props, sound, actors and various guides (my producer is a rappel master also, he took care of absolutely everything) had to go down with ropes and pulley systems. We filmed for two days inside the cave and that meant going up and down for two days in a row.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I cried. Really, I did. I felt like the film directors that inspired me to do films. My sole purpose has always been to give audiences something worth watching you know? Good quality, good script, performances and attention to detail! The feedback video gave me validation to do more without compromising.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I went to a trip in Tepoztlán with my father and, walking under the sun, it hit me. At first, I wanted to be a musician but I honestly wasn't that good. Then, literally in a matter of seconds, I realized that I knew a hell of a lot in terms of films. My parents are addicted movie watchers but not just as a hobbie. We had almost academic discussions about the films we went to watch at the theater, when I was little. They taught me the basics. So I decided that maybe that was the way to go.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

(Just one is impossible, sorry) Clockwork Orange, The Godfather, No Country for Old Men, Pulp Fiction, Scarface

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think that what you already offer is pretty good. Maybe a YouTube Channel with a good volume of subscribers to premiere the short film, that would be nice. Aside from that, I really appreciate your efforts.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Great platform. Efficient, easy to use and I've never really had any issues whatsoever.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Sushi in all of it's presentations, Mexican food in all of it's presentations, Italian Pizza and Lebanese food.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Keep on filming new projects. I just finished a short documentary about deforestation and I'm writing a new fiction script for a short film that will function as a kind of "proof of concept" for a feature film, hopefully.