AND THAT'S MY STORY: DIEGO QUEMADA-DIEZ, FILMMAKER

I have been intrigued to find out more about the creators behind projects that I have been fortunate enough to see and/ or hear for a long time now, especially those involved in making films and TV shows - I know, that statement completely shocked you. So, I have decided to do something about it. And That's My Story is a series I will be running on this blog, for as long as I can find people to interview, that will share with you a bit about the creators themselves and their journey towards fulfilling their dreams.

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Kicking off this series is Diego Quemada-Diez,the director of the film,The Golden Dream; a film that I have mentioned quite a few times on this blog since watching it for the first time earlier this year. Even though I attended a Q&A session with Diego after the screening of his film, I still had a few questions for him that I was intrigued to know his answers to. Luckily, I was able to score an e-interview with him and got my wish - one dream down, a bizillion more to go. Whoop! I would like to take this moment to thank Ollie C who helped make this happen- Thank you Ollie!

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HOW DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST BREAK IN THE WORLD OF FILMMAKING?

With Ken Loach on Land and Freedom as a clapper loader.

HAVING NOW WORKED IN THE FILM INDUSTRY FOR SOME TIME, DO YOU STILL FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT FILMMAKING AS YOU DID WHEN YOU FIRST DECIDED THIS WAS THE PATH FOR YOU?

I feel better now that I am working on my own projects, its a dream come true. It would be ideal to all be able to fulfil our life's mission [that] each one of us has.

THE THEMES YOU HAVE EXPLORED IN YOUR PROJECTS ARE QUITE TOPICAL. WAS IT A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO CREATE FILMS WITH A DOCUMENTARY FEEL TO IT; HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN YOUR AIM TO ACT AS A VOICE FOR OTHERS?

I like to tell people's stories. I remember reading a 1939 interview with John Ford, he said that in the future filmmakers/writers would go into the communities and by talking to people they will find the stories to tell, then once the script was written they would come back and cast the people to act on them.

WHAT WAS IT THAT LED YOU TO CONSIDER MAKING THE FILM "THE GOLDEN DREAM" (LA JAULA DE ORO)?

In This World by Winterbottom was one of the inspirations, but most importantly meeting migrants and feeling I had to tell others what they told me. Also, the golden dream is a continuation of my short "I Want to be a Pilot". What would happen if Omondi was Latin American and would go in search of his dreams, nowadays, and what would he find?

WERE THERE ANY SCENES THAT WERE PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO SHOOT FOR "THE GOLDEN DREAM" (LA JAULA DE ORO)?

A scene where Juan cried on the beach in Tijuana after being deported. Juan could not cry. It is the only scene I shot twice and it ended being deleted!

HOW DID YOU SECURE FUNDING FOR "THE GOLDEN DREAM" (LA JAULA DE ORO)?

Mexican tax incentive, mostly.

I KNOW WE ARE ALL CAPTAINS OF OUR OWN SHIPS AND ARE EACH IN CHARGE OF GETTING TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE BUT, BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING FILMMAKERS WHO HAVEN'T CAUGHT A BREAK YET ?

Persevere. Persevere.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT STORY TO TELL AND HOW IT SHOULD BE TOLD?

Follow your heart, what hits you deeply.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR NEXT PROJECT? AND IF SO, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN SHARE WITH US REGARDING IT?

Yes, I am writing! It's a bit early but also lots of research. I started in 2008.

WHAT ARE 5 FILMS THAT LEFT YOU TRANSFORMED?

[*] Ikiru by Kurosawa

[*] Mon Oncle by Jacques Tati

[*] Apocalypse Now by Coppolla

[*] Aguirre by Herrzog

[*] Werckmeister Harmones by Bela Tarr

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Source: Peccadillo Pictures

And there you have it folks. The first entry to what I hope will be a fun and exciting series. If you would like to share your story with me (preferable one about how you are opening up a lovely bakery just 3 doors down from me - I jest...) then please whizz me an email or pop a comment down below or tweet me or facebook me. Heck go wild and leave me a comment on my Instagram page. I am eager to get to know you and your story.

Mo x