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CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH:
Christian Duran, Mexico City indie filmmaker

By Freddy Moyano
Correspondent

Almost a year went by between Christian Duran’s first trip to the Green Bay area – when he presented his award-winning short film 72 Horas (72 Hours) at the De Pere Cinema in September 2021 – and his most recent trip earlier this month for the world premiere of his film Buenas Noches, Beatriz (Good Night, Beatriz) at the Tarlton Theatre.

While on the red carpet at the Tarlton September 4, Duran, right, recalled how he had a heart attack in the fall of 2021, yet he still managed to remotely direct rehearsals for “Buenas Noches, Beatriz.” Photo courtesy of MLC Productions

“Back in 2021, it was super exciting to come to the area, as I did not know anything about it,” Duran said. “[Green Bay] was a completely new place for me to visit.”

When he returned this year, he said he got a double dose of excitement as he not only reunited with amazing people he had met the year before, but also got a private tour of Lambeau Field.

“I could not believe I got to touch Lambeau’s grass with my hand,” Duran said.

Duran’s visit came just a few days before the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 16–Oct. 15 this year.

Duran said Hispanic heritage remains solid in the film industry.

Journalism: Gateway to the dream
Duran, who was born in Mexico City in 1979, says his taste for the film industry has been there since he was just a little kid.

“I can now say I am officially Mexico’s number one Green Bay Packers fan,” said Mexican filmmaker Christian Duran after getting a private tour of Lambeau Field on the eve of the MLC Awards presentation of his work earlier this month. Photo Freddy Moyano

“I wanted to direct movies. It has always been my dream” Duran said. “Sadly Mexico is not a country I see as an optimal location to pursue such a dream. In spite of not being admitted back in 1999 in Cinematography college studies, I worked in journalism and marketing for several years to remain somehow connected to the industry. I still do it today” said Duran.

Duran said nobody in his family shared his passion for the film industry, but his sister, who majored in photography, was a great help.

“I really struggled with this subject during college, and she was a great mentor to make me love every aspect of it,” Duran said.

‘72 Hours’
Duran, who has completed several promo campaigns over the past 10 years for clients like Disney in Mexico, said that around 2018 his desire to produce his own work was reborn after attending a cinematic documentary workshop.

“72 horas” (2021) tells of the struggles of a mother, played by Aymee Fernandez, during the three days following the arrest of her son. It won Best Latino Flavored Film of 2021 at the MLC Awards film festival held last year at the De Pere Cinema. Photo courtesy of Caissa Films

That led to a master’s degree in cinematography production and his first fiction short, 72 Horas.
Seasoned Mexican stage actress Aymee Fernandez, who played the protagonist in 72 Horas, became an indispensable colleague.

“Aymee has a deep knowledge of the world of art, which helped give Good Night, Beatriz the desired touch to compete in big festivals. I cannot do without her since we first worked together,” Duran said.

‘Good Night, Beatriz’
Duran’s recently completed featurette, Buenas Noches, Beatriz, which world-premiered at the during the MLC Awards earlier this month at the Tarlton Theatre, earned the award for Best Friendship-Themed Production of the Year and Best Voice Over Performance.

“The group of people I worked with was outstanding, including Beto de Paz, with his amazing music,” Duran said. “It took us close to 16 months to wrap up this project since it is based on a classic theater piece by Julio Gini which required quite a bit of adaptation work to get it into cinematic format.”

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