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Mexican Film Explores Alien Abductions Amidst Social Issues Image: Fernando Cuautle
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Mexican Film Explores Alien Abductions Amidst Social Issues

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • A new Mexican film, "Torreoncitos," uses the premise of alien abductions to explain disappearances in a Chihuahua town.
  • The film's star, Fernando Cuautle, explains that the alien narrative is a childlike justification for real-world issues like violence and lack of opportunity.
  • Cuautle also discusses his roles in other recent films, including "La Captura" on Netflix and "Loco México Mágico."

In a small town in Chihuahua, Mexico, the unexplained departures of residents are given a fantastical explanation by two children: aliens are taking them. This premise forms the basis of "Torreoncitos," a film directed by Ervey Ortega and starring Fernando Cuautle, which is currently in production.

Cuautle portrays a character who arrives from the United States with a distinct look and accent, leading the children to believe he is connected to the supposed alien activity. However, Cuautle clarifies that the film uses this childlike fantasy to address the stark realities of violence and the scarcity of opportunities that are the true reasons for people leaving the town. "It's the justification they give themselves for why people are leaving the town, but the truth is it's because of violence or lack of opportunities," Cuautle stated.

It's the justification they give themselves for why people are leaving the town, but the truth is it's because of violence or lack of opportunities.

— Fernando CuautleExplaining the film's narrative device.

The actor highlighted that the film tackles significant social issues through the lens of childhood fantasy, which he believes helps to alleviate the gravity of the subjects. "Torreoncitos" is a production by Catatonia Cine and Cine Norte Club, and the casting process involved local talent from Chihuahua, emphasizing regional artistic contributions.

That's why they believe the aliens are taking them, but the truth is it's because of violence or lack of opportunities.

— Fernando CuautleClarifying the real-world issues behind the film's premise.

Cuautle, who is often seen as the "alien" in the cast due to his background, expressed his admiration for the local talent involved. He also shared details about his other recent projects. He appears in "La Captura," a film available on Netflix that depicts the arrest of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, where Cuautle plays "El Lagarto," a member of Guzmán's team. He also features in "Loco México Mágico," a film currently in theaters where he plays a young cinematographer hired for a movie that villainizes Americans.

Following the completion of "Torreoncitos," Cuautle is set to join the cast of a new film by Michael Rourke, focusing on the theme of fatherhood, where Cuautle will take on the lead role.

It is like one of the villains, he has power over several people and suddenly explodes in violence. They painted my hair and put in contact lenses to create this character who tried to free his boss.

— Fernando CuautleDescribing his role as 'El Lagarto' in 'La Captura'.
About this summary

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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