A Chat with Director Alejandro Montoya Marin | Latino Film Institute
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Alejandro Montoya Marin

A Chat with Director Alejandro Montoya Marin

Alejandro Montoya Marin, director of The Unexpecteds, screened his film at LALIFF this year. Now almost three months later, we caught up with him to see where life has taken him since the conclusion of the festival. Read along as he tells us about his latest projects, and more.

Q: Introduce yourself to our audience. What is your name and where do you live?

A: Knock knock…

Who’s there?

…Alejandro Montoya Marin.

Who?

…born in Laredo, Texas, raised in Merida/Monterrey, Mexico. College in Vancouver to Albuquerque, New Mexico, now in L.A…. is here, haha.

Q: How long have you been a filmmaker? 

A: That’s a tricky question. Respuesta chistosa? I wouldn’t refer to myself as a “filmmaker” until I made my first feature film in 2018.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in film? 

A: I fell in love with movies at the age of three, when my mom took me to see Katy La Oruga.  From there on it was – go to the movies as much as possible and rent as many flicks during summer vacation as I could. I loved how movies made you feel, and that would make me pay MORE attention to life. Movies made me feel hopeful. I couldn’t come up with an excuse NOT to try and do what I’ve always loved. 

Q: Your film, The Unexpecteds was a part of LALIFF 2024. How was that experience for you, overall, now looking back?

A: What’s better than perfect? The festival was, and continues to be, incredibly supportive and nurturing for filmmakers. I knew there was something special about LALIFF when I attended the Flamin’ Hot premiere at LALIFF 2023. I knew from that amazing experience that I HAD to submit my next film to the festival.

Q: Since the conclusion of the festival, have there been any advancements with your film or projects, overall?

A: Thank you for asking. A lot can change in a year.  

Our film “The Unexpecteds“ has evolved into an “indie film hurricane.”  What do I mean by that? Other artists, collaborators that we’ve admired for years, have joined the team. Thanks to their support, momentum and energy, it’s set off a perfect storm of possibilities for our little film that will roll out during Hispanic Heritage month. Very cool.
 
One of those artists joining the team is my favorite clerk and indie film icon Kevin Smith. 
His festival(Smodcastle film fest) as well as the rest of the Smodcastle team, and myself firmly believe the future is INDIE.  New faces, the stories, smaller budgets, bigger rewards, New franchises, characters but above all human art! There are soooo many great films out there it’s no excuse to not check em out….
 
” She rides shotgun”  “kill me again” “Freaky tales”  “Espina”  “La raya” “Bob treviño likes it”  ” Last Showgirl” “zero” and so many more. 
 
I also wanna take the time and thank the amazing institutions who shown nothing but love for our little film.  LACMA, LFI, Smodcastle, LALIFF, AFMX, Las Cruces FF, VFS, Laredo Film Society, and many more that are rolling up their sleeves and no matter what have been helping round the clock to get us exposure before our release. Look it hasn’t been easy. It’s been a barefoot hobbit’s journey. But I’m hopeful, look at the box office, it’s time for the new wave of independent artists to get their shot. How? By recommending, renting, and above all, buying indie art. Not just mine, go see those flicks I recommended as well.  
 
If action comedy is your thing. Our movie is available for pre-sale on digital and disc. 
 
 

Q:  Who are your film heroes? Who are some filmmakers you admire?

A: I’m a little boring.The usual suspects: Cuaron, Tarantino, Scorsese, Spielberg, Rodriguez, Ramsay, Gomez Rejon, The Scotts, Hill. 

But to be honest, I admire anyone who had anything to do with a movie I love. You should’ve seen me sweating like a pig when I met the music supervisors for Flamin’ Hot and The Righteous Gemstones. Those soundtracks rock!

Q: What advice do you give to someone that wants to get into filmmaking, but doesn’t know where to start?

A: It’s hard, it’s extremely hard! Things will take time, but don’t let that scare you. It took me a lot of time to realize that myself. But if you LOVE IT and it will improve your life and the ones around you… what are you waiting for?

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