Vision; it’s the most essential quality for greatness in a filmmaker. Many have skill and creativity but when void of vision to guide them, they flounder and exist only in the technical qualifications of someone who abounds in proficiency rather than possession of an actual voice. The vision of Mexican born director and cinematographer Alejandro Ramirez manifest a deluge of fantastic stories crafted from the culture and people of his homeland; both in terms of their self-identity and the awareness of how the world perceives them. Ramirez has proven himself to be an artist who wields the might of cinema with intensity, humor, and heart.
An introduction into the works of this extraordinary filmmaker are accessed through his films Mente Revólver and Akiestamos. While disparate in subject matter, both productions are undeniably the work of an extraordinary communicator with a gift for insight into the human struggle. Alejandro is a student of the intersection in society where dreams meet heartache, often realizing the gravity of a situation even when the characters of his films don’t. His gift has been recognized by many, including Netflix with whom he has worked on a number of projects. There is a potency to the voice of Alejandro Ramirez with people and places that are undeniably intriguing presented through the lens of his unique creativity.
Mente Revolver (translated as “Revolver Mind” in English) presents the literal and figurative intersect of two countries/cultures in Tijuana. The United States and Mexico may share a border there but Ramirez makes it clear that vices are not cultural but rather a conscious choice made by people whether they be a cop, a homeless woman, or any of those who traffic drugs, arms, and sex workers through this border town. Tijuana is a character in this story but is void of any nefarious nature, contradicting how it is so often portrayed.
In fact, the beauty of this border town shines through while she is blemished by the criminals who pass through her. The characters of Mente Revolver are complicated without being duplicitous. Their justification for their actions seems very plausible in context and this only serves to a greater degree of surprise when they act unexpectedly. Personal identity permeates this entire film, from the cinematography to the characters and pacing; it’s apparent that this emanates from Mr. Ramirez himself.
Mente Revolver received numerous accolades including awards for Best Movie Gold Alhambra at the Granada Cines del Sur Film Festival, Best Frontera Feature at the San Diego Latino Film Festival, and nominations for Best Film at the Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara, Camerimage, and Santiago de Compostela Film Festival.
The DNA of Akiestamos is only a creative chromosome off of Mente Revolver, which is more than enough to entice audiences while offering a vastly different theme. This documentary film is the story of three Mexican underground rockstars and all that it entails. Alejandro spent three years following Ali Guagua, Charlie Monttana, and El Charro, successful music artists with varied definitions of success.
Akiestamos (nominated for Best Documentary Film at the Festival de Cine de Valdivia, Chile) is a study of the gritty excess and moments of grandeur associated with the lives of rock musicians but investigates them at a point where it weighs what they may have sacrificed to lead such a life. The core of the film is not the adulation they receive during performing but instead what their daily existence consists of. The unspoken question of this film is, “Is the dream worth sacrificing reality?” The film’s screening at the Guadalajara International Film Festival elicited enthusiastic cheers for telling a story with such gravitas.
These films exhibit the work of a professional who is without question consumed by his art because it reflects humanity in all its shades. Alejandro confirms, “The camera thrills me and always surprises me with its endless and powerful narrative potential. I love the creative process involved in filmmaking and the strategies that play out on an emotional level in each story; taking the time to explore the mind of a murderer, a grief stricken musician, or a pair of teenagers falling in love in the throes of despair. Every step of the way it keeps you on edge and is compelling to the bone.”
In addition to his work as a cinematographer on productions for HBO, Fox, and Amazon Prime, Mr. Ramirez has served as DP for a number of Netflix original series including: Tijuana (winner for Best Cinematography at the Festival Pantalla de Cristal), Selena, A 3 Minute Hug, and the German Reality show Too Hot To Handle which premiered this year.
Writer: Basil Thomson