'Mexico 86': Diego Luna Stars in Film Recalling World Cup and Childhood Memories

Diego Luna's new film, 'México 86,' revisits the actor's childhood, deeply marked by the devastating 1985 earthquake and the joyous 1986 World Cup. The movie, set to premiere on Netflix on June 5, explores a pivotal moment in Mexican history and national identity.

"It's a Mexico that is deeply etched in my memory; I was only six years old when the earthquake happened. Talking about 'México 86' is talking about my childhood and my first encounter with football," Luna told EFE. His relationship with the sport, he says, began then and continues today.

The film also sheds light on the lesser-known story of how Mexico convinced FIFA to host the World Cup. The country stepped in after Colombia withdrew due to economic crises and escalating armed conflict. Director Gabriel Ripstein, known for his work on 'Narcos,' uses a fictional character, Martín de la Torre, portrayed by Luna, to navigate the behind-the-scenes negotiations and challenges.

Luna, who returns to Mexican cinema with this football-themed project after successes like 'Rudo y Cursi,' sees 'México 86' as a return to the kind of stories that shaped him as a film spectator. He prefers concise narratives with a clear beginning and end, fitting the film's two-hour runtime. Ripstein portrays a pre-globalized Mexico where football matches were accessible to all, contrasting it with today's "exorbitantly" larger global reach and potential inaccessibility.

The film touches upon Mexico's political shifts under the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the evolving landscape of football. Luna's involvement comes after an eight-year period focused on international television projects like 'Narcos: Mexico,' 'Andor,' and 'La Máquina.' He emphasizes his preference for contained stories, finding satisfaction in projects that offer a complete narrative arc within a limited timeframe.