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After its world premiere in Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film that will be available on Netflix starting November 8 is not only aimed at those who already know the work of the legendary Mexican author, but also acts as an invitation for new generations to discover this literary classic.
“I believe that classics have to be made and made again for new generations, who benefit from creators like Rodrigo, with his position and vision of the novel. Also with platforms like Netflix it is incredible that it can be seen in so many countries; such a Mexican story, which invites us to see our insides with this film that can be seen in so many countries and so quickly,” he shared in an interview with MILLENNIUM Manuel García-Rulfo, who plays Pedro Páramo.
One of the highlights of this adaptation is the recognition and dignity of those who represent loyal employees who give their lives to the service and care of others, such as the character of Damiana Cisneros, played by Mayra Batalla (Fire Night, Huesera).
“As I emphasized in the premiere, Damiana is that part of the town that supports big families. Those women, mothers, now that we work, you long to have someone who not only takes care of your house, your children, or your family, but that he loves her. For me that is Damiana; she is one of those people who literally give their lives to the care of not only the boss or the lady of the house, but also their entire family. It was very nice to be able to show that,” he explained; Mayra.
A deep connection
Dolores Herediawho plays Eduviges, the woman who houses Juan Preciado, shared her closeness not only with the universe of Juan Rulfo, but also with the iconic author’s family.
“I have known Juan Rulfo, Jr., for many years. I remember that he made a documentary and that we spent many hours talking. We always played and I told her: ‘I’m a rulfina woman.’ And he told me: ‘Yes, yes’, as well as giving me my side. That whole universe of Juan Rulfo has always blown my mind, I feel that it tells a very deep and innocent part of me as well. “I got carried away very richly,” he explained.
For a long time, Dolores felt part of this storyshared with us how he fought to be part of this production.
“I have known Rodrigo for a long time, and I felt that something very beautiful was brewing and that I was already a part of it—although some didn’t know it yet. I defended him, I defended my position, not with so much violence or resistance, because it was very rich how we found this opportunity to say: ‘Well, this is what I think of Hedwig.’ And that work process, because it’s not that I already knew the character, but that I had an intuition. Then we had to work, talk, feel; from the costumes -—which is a gem—, and which also helped us in our interpretation; The textures, and how the sets were built, were all elements that helped,” he noted.
The costumes were in charge of Ana Terrazas (Rome) and the Production Design was Carlos Y. Jacques and Eugenio Caballeroiconic for his work in Pan’s Labyrinth and Rome.
Grudges of yesteryear
This adaptation of the novel that has been translated into almost fifty languages, seeks to be a bridge between the literary legacy and contemporary cinemaoffering new readings and perspectives on topics such as power, violence and resentment.
In that sense, Ilse Salas, who plays Susana San Juan (Páramo’s love), reflected on how the story is still relevant in a current context.
“It is a novel that makes you reflect on things like which chiefs we continue to serve, these figures of power—full of unscrupulous ignorance—capable of continuing to recreate this violence. And we are there, we don’t know which side. It is a novel that questions our origins again, and also where we are going. At a political level it leaves us thinking a lot, and with gaps that we must know how to fill to change our destiny,” he reflected.
The director Rodrigo Prieto considers that the complexity of Pedro Páramo invites continuous explorationwith different perspectives on each character, as a process of constant discovery.
“The film is already finished, but I continue watching it—I have seen it thousands of times—and each time I am moved by another part of the story or another character,” confessed the also cinematographer who has collaborated with Alejandro González Iñárritu, Greta Gerwig and Martin Scorsese, among others.
Prieto also connected the feeling of resentment, so fundamental in the novel, and like Ilse, with the internal tyrants that often dominate us.
“In this screening there was a moment that hit me and then another. That impresses me because you would think that I could see her coldly and I don’t. And a little about what Ilse spoke about those chiefs whom we follow politically, also what internal tyrants we allow to dominate us; the living resentment—which is the great tragedy in this novel—that we all have in some form or another and that Comala destroys. Let’s prevent these resentments from destroying us,” he concluded.
Who is who?
Most of the characters are dead or are ghosts and are marked by the past, here are the most important ones:
Pedro Paramo (Manuel García-Rulfo). The central character, the tyrant owner of the La Media Luna hacienda who dominates the novel. He is a powerful and cruel man who has built his empire through violence and exploitation. Since he grows up with Susana, San Juan becomes obsessed with her, and his actions mark Comala’s destiny.
Juan Preciado (Tenoch Huerta). The protagonist of the novel, a young man who travels to Comala in search of his father: Pedro Páramo, who thinks he is still alive. Through his encounters with the inhabitants of Comala he discovers the history of his family and the true nature of his father.
Susana San Juan (Ilse Salas). The impossible love of Pedro Páramo. Its purity contrasts with the darkness of the protagonist. His figure represents the lost innocence and the beauty that withers in Comala.
Damiana Cisneros (Mayra Batalla). She is one of Pedro Páramo’s employees in Media Luna. A loyal woman who stays by her employer’s side through thick and thin.
Eduviges Dyada (Dolores Heredia). A woman who lives in loneliness and madness, and who keeps a secret about Comala’s past.
Father Renteria (Roberto Sosa). He is the priest of Comala, and lives a deep conflict of faith due to his relationship with Pedro Páramo. He cannot forgive Eduviges (who has committed suicide) or Dorotea (who confesses to having gotten women for Miguel Páramo).
Fulgor Sedano (Hector Kotsifakis). Pedro Páramo’s foreman, a cruel and violent man who carries out his boss’s orders without question.
A little more about the novel
- Published in 1955 by Juan RulfoPedro Páramo is a fundamental work that revolutionized Latin American and world literature.
- the novel portrays violence, exploitation and social injustice that marked rural Mexico. Although it is anchored in a specific context, its themes of the search for identity, loss, love, death and the relationship with the past are universal.
- With its innovative narrative structure, its fusion between realism and the supernatural, and its deep exploration of themes such as death and memory, the novel was ahead of its timeinfluencing the development of magical realism.
- Authors like Gabriel García Márquez recognized his impact; His influence extends to generations of writers who found in Pedro Páramo a great source of inspiration.
- The novel has been translated into almost a hundred languages; among them, Nahuatl, being the first time it has been translated into this language.
- The film’s script is by Mateo Gil, who was originally going to direct the film.
- The movie was shot between Mexico City —in sets that they built in forums at the Churubusco Studios—, San Luis Potosí, Carranco, and Bledos.
- According to the film’s producer, Stacy Perskie, the filming required 11 weeks, 55 days.
