Guillermo del Toro champions Mexican animated film 'Soy Frankelda'

Guillermo del Toro, the Oscar-winning director known for 'Pinocchio,' has become a vocal champion for the Mexican animated film 'Soy Frankelda,' directed by brothers Arturo and Rodolfo Ambriz. At the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), del Toro lauded the filmmakers, whom he considers the film's godfather, for their perseverance.

"The people don't understand that the only way to describe the existence of Soy Frankelda in Mexico is to describe it as a miracle," del Toro stated. He highlighted the significant challenges the Ambriz brothers faced, including a lack of budget and infrastructure, yet managed to complete the film through sheer hope and dedication. Their relationship began two decades ago when one of the brothers contacted del Toro via email, evolving into a daily mentorship during the meticulous stop-motion animation process.

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The people don't understand that the only way to describe the existence of Soy Frankelda in Mexico is to describe it as a miracle. They had to have faith, because they didn't have the budget or the infrastructure, but they had a lot of hope and managed to raise, assemble, and finish this film. They never underestimated the monumental size of the problem.

Del Toro described stop-motion animation as a "sacred space" and praised the Ambriz brothers for their authenticity. "The reason I have been close to you all these years, including this film, is because you two are 'the real thing'. You really do what you say," he told them. The film, which has undergone several edits, will premiere on Netflix on June 12. The version released on the platform will be five minutes shorter than the one previously shown in theaters.

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Making stop motion is a sacred space. We have reached a point in our culture where the act of resistance is being yourself. The reason I have been close to you all these years, including this film, is because you two are 'the real thing'. You really do what you say.