INTERVIEW: Juan Diego Escobar Alzate

- by @EliDeGeer

It’s not often we (cinephiles) catch a rising filmmaker as their career is sparking, yet that’s exactly what you’ll witness with Juan Diego Escobar Alzate. Born in Colombia, South America to an engineer father and administrator mother, and growing up in the tiny coffee town of Manizales, Caldas, Alzate’s childhood was rich with soul-searching events – experiences he now translates into moving pictures onscreen. Fluent in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and English), Alzate studied filmmaking in Argentina before returning to Colombia to work on several television shows. Currently, he’s located in San Francisco, California, pursuing an MFA in film while producing his second feature, SHARE WITH ME YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS. The Slaughtered Bird caught up with Alzate a few days ago to discuss cinema, spirit animals, crowdfunding, and the number 13. Read on to see what colors and shadows shine brightest in him:

When did you first know you wanted to create? Was it the element of art that appealed to you – or communication – or connecting with others and their experiences? What drove you to this career?

When I was very little, I thought god didn’t exist. As I grew older, I started to understand not only does he exist, but so does the devil. They live inside each one of us, and they dictate to me what to say, and what not to say. They are the power of pureness - they are not just random voices in my head - they are the voices of wisdom, and they guide me to a creative process of sanity and purification.

Your prior film LIVE. LIFE. DEAREST has been recognized around the globe for its unique vision. Can you tell us about this project? What is it? Are we able to experience it at home?

It’s a therapeutic film that questions the viewer, and invites them on a journey through love, loneliness, nostalgia, and silence. It introduced the concept of a film for you and made by you, as it was created thanks to the goodwill of people who donated their home videos and memories to help me build the story. The film is very powerful, and questions existence. For those who haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it in its entirety at www.livelifedearestthemovie.com.

Let’s talk about your filmmaking overall. Is it true you do not refer to yourself as a filmmaker?

Being a filmmaker is not something to be proud of. It’s like being a clown - all you do is entertain people nowadays, as TV has managed to create shallow “bodies.” I consider myself to be a film therapist, as my goal is to help the viewer heal emotional wounds through art.

Through film therapy - how do you hope an audience will experience your visual and auditory messages? What would you like people to receive from your works?

I am trying to communicate what my soul tells me I need to heal. I am not the one who makes the films - it is my soul that guides me through the process. After the creation is done I just go, sit down and watch the film, and start to cry as I, myself, am healing. The viewer can feel the same, hopefully, as it questions them, and really gets them into a meditating inner-reflection.

Your current feature-film project, SHARE WITH ME YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS, is generating positive, though-provoking attention already. You used crowdfunding successfully on your first feature. Is it true you surpassed your budget goal this time?

Yes, we were all over the place. We didn’t know how to crowdfund, but we were positive the film would be something to watch for, as it introduces new ways of understanding and making films. We tweeted all day long. It was sincerely a great experience, and I met great people. At the end of this journey, we collected more than expected. We managed to build a great audience and fan base through Twitter.

Are new fans still able to donate and be involved?

Indiegogo added us to their new InDemand service when we reached our first fundraising goal, which means we can get more funding. People who didn’t have the time, the money, or didn’t know about our campaign will now be eligible to still back the film here. Additionally, supporters can donate directly through PayPal to: juandiegoescobar@me.com

(We recommend watching the trailer full-screen, volume up!)

What is SHARE WITH ME YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS about?

I always say that I don’t care what a film is about, as I believe films are way more than just linear storytelling. Too often, filmmakers opt for only the story’s path. For me, the concept is what is really important in art.

This is a therapeutic film which questions duality. Amber, the main character, will have to embrace not only dark and light, but all the colors that live within her to find her internal god who leads her to inner redemption.

What are you hoping audiences will take away from this new project?

All I want is to heal the emotional wounds they have. If I manage to cause this, even in only one person, the film will be worth it.

A matching phrase accompanies both of your freshman and sophomore films: “This film has NO nationality.” Can you tell us what that means? What kind of an impact would you like this unified art form to have on society?

I don’t like frontiers or barriers between countries. The only land I believed in is a continent called COOPERATION. My films don’t discriminate. I want all religions, all ethnicities, and all sexualities to be involved in my films. My films strive to embrace every living creature.

Are more cinematic projects on your horizon? Will they be similar to or different than your prior films?

I have developed a voice. I don’t make films to entertain - I do them in order to heal myself and others. Therapy is my voice. I don’t want to be just a popcorn-fare filmmaker. I would rather be a banker or bus driver, if that were the only possibility I got. (Alzate has confirmed a short film will be in development next.)

Thank you so very much for setting aside a moment to speak with us. We know you’re deep in the final filming stages on SHARE WITH ME YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS, and time is scarce. The Slaughtered Bird offices are all abuzz about this one – we can’t wait to see the finished product!

We’ll close with a lightening-round!

1. What is your brightest color? Light blue, but everything pastel colored.
2. What is your spirit animal? The tiger. I am a spiritual being, and through Ayahuasca rituals, shamans often tell me I am protected by this animal.
3. Who were you idols growing up? Jesus, Buddha, and the Devil.
4. Favorite number? 13. I am always driven to explore duality: 3 meaning purity, 1 meaning loneliness and darkness, but together they form it all.
5. Favorite film genre? Horror as a kid - it is the genre I know best; however, at this point in my life, I am driven to positive-message films, deep and thought-provoking dramas.
6. Favorite filmmakers growing up? Argento, Takashi Miike, and Sergio Leone, among others.
7. Favorite filmmakers now? Alejandro Jodorowsky, Terrence Malick, and Miranda July.
8. Growing up, what was your favorite movie? SUSPIRIA. And now? EL TOPO from Alejandro Jodorowsky.
9. Shooting anywhere in the world, where is your dream location? My dreams.
10. Directing any actress/actor, who would be in your dream project? Miranda July and Adan Jodorowsky.
11. A dream composer to score your films? Any man with a soul. A soul is the most prolific instrument of them all.
12. Where can fans click to follow you? Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, iMDB
13. The SHARE WITH ME YOUR BRIGHTEST COLOR film? Indiegogo, Twitter, Facebook, iMDB

Alzate’s told me the story concept for his next short film – a lovely, heart-warming tale that I can’t reveal yet. Keep an eye out for his future projects – which he says he will again finance through crowdfunding, as it is a “way to connect to the audience… a way to stay true.” My recommendation is getting on board right now with his current film SHARE WITH ME YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS. Your radar should be focused on his tones and hues from here on out.

- Eli DeGeer