Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante made a splash at the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), where he presented his latest film “Rita” and also gave a masterclass. In an interview with Variety, Bustamante discussed his upcoming projects, including “Mountains of Fire” (“Cordillera de Fuego”) and his first comedy, an adaptation of the 1998 Spanish romcom “Nada en la nevera” (“Nothing in the Fridge”).
Known for using his films to tackle important social issues such as Indigenous rights, systemic oppression, and LGBTQ+ rights, Bustamante’s “Mountains of Fire” began as a social awareness project and has now been transformed into a feature film. The story follows two volcanologists who visit indigenous communities to warn them of the impending danger of a new volcano forming in the fire mountain range. Through their journey, they uncover corruption within the country’s government and the lack of concern for these marginalized communities.
Drawing inspiration from real-life events, Bustamante highlighted the social discrimination faced by indigenous communities during natural disasters like volcanic eruptions. To prepare for the film, Bustamante set up Academia Ixcanul, his acting school, and trained actors from the indigenous communities involved in the project. The film, produced by Bustamante’s La Casa de ProducciĂłn, Les Film du Volcán, and Ixcanul Foundation, is a 100% Guatemalan effort with no foreign financing.
In a departure from his usual distribution strategy, Bustamante plans to release “Mountains of Fire” on a streaming platform to ensure wider accessibility for the Guatemalan audience, where only 9% have access to cinemas. Additionally, Bustamante is working on his first comedy, a Latin American adaptation of “Nada en la nevera,” exploring themes of romantic love, self-love, and forming genuine connections in today’s society.
Bustamante expressed his fascination with exploring emotional relationships and the concept of self-love in the film, emphasizing the importance of laughter in addressing deep topics. As he delves into the complexities of relationships and the constant search for understanding, Bustamante believes that humor is a powerful tool to navigate these themes.
With his unique storytelling approach and commitment to shedding light on pressing social issues, Bustamante’s upcoming projects promise to captivate audiences while sparking meaningful conversations about love, connection, and self-discovery.
