AI, Trojan Horses and Coping With Loss
Alonso Ruizpalacios, the renowned Mexican filmmaker, delivered a masterclass at the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) that left the audience in awe despite the delayed start due to Colombia’s World Cup match. Ruizpalacios began by reciting Elizabeth Butcher’s poem “One Art,” reflecting on the art of losing and the importance of grace in defeat.
The director shared insights into his upcoming projects, including an adaptation of Carlos Fuentes’ novel “Aura” for Netflix and “The Transmigration of Bodies” by Yuri Herrera, set against the backdrop of an epidemic. He emphasized the challenges of filmmaking, particularly in raising financing and finding distribution, highlighting the necessity of co-productions in today’s industry.
Ruizpalacios expressed his concerns about the dominance of AI in the creative process, emphasizing the importance of the human experience and the joy of the writing process. He called for more independent cinema as a form of resistance and advocated for creating “Trojan horses” in mainstream platforms to smuggle in complex artistic content.
The filmmaker’s vision for the future includes exploring innovative formats like making a film for TikTok, aiming to reach audiences where they already are. Ruizpalacios’s inspiring words resonated with the audience at BAM, showcasing his dedication to pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo in filmmaking.
The 17th edition of BAM promises to be a platform for creativity and innovation, with Ruizpalacios setting the tone for a thought-provoking and inspiring event.
