Juan Carlos Rulfo, an award-winning Mexican filmmaker with international reach, stands among the leaders of Mexico's documentary film resurgence.
Juan Carlos Rulfo has managed to step out of the shadows of his famous father, Juan Rulfo, and create a spotlight for himself. Juan Rulfo, an influential Latin American poet and author, is best known for his novel Pedro Páramo. Legendary Latin American authors such as Gabriel García Márquez have credited Juan Rulfo for inspiring their work.
So, it's not surprising that son Juan Carlos Rulfo dedicated his first feature-length film to his father. Mexico City native Juan Carlos Rulfo has earned numerous awards for films that have pushed Mexican documentaries to the forefront.
En el Hoyo (In the Pit)
2006
They are usually invisible — the construction workers who build the places where residents live, work, and play. And in the megalopolis of Mexico City, this is especially true. But as construction of a massive second deck to Mexico City's inner Pereférico freeway begins, Juan Carlos Rulfo shows viewers the lives of those who struggle, sacrifice, and dedicate themselves to the creation of this monstrous concrete project.
Harsh conditions are just part of the job, but these construction workers can't shake an old Mexican belief. Legend has it that the Devil must claim a life during the construction of a bridge, in order to prevent it from collapsing and killing someone in the future. Not knowing who the Devil may claim during the construction haunts every struggling worker.
En el Hoyo won the Ariel Award (Mexico's highest cinematic honor) for Best Feature Length Documentary in 2007. It also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006.
Los Que Se Quedan (Those Who Remain)
2008
The migration of workers from Mexico to the United States has been well documented. But often forgotten are all the people left behind in Mexico — wives, mothers, sons and daughters. The film offers a glimpse into how the U.S./Mexico border divides families. Experts in immigration issues probably won't learn anything new, but the documentary will grab viewers with its beautiful landscape shots and heartfelt stories.
Los Que Se Quedan won Best Documentary at both the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Guadalajara Film Festival.
Del Olvido al No Me Acuerdo (Juan, I Forgot I Don't Remember)
1999
Juan Carlos Rulfo explores the legacy of his father, prominent Mexican author Juan Rulfo. The filmmaker travels to his father's hometown in the state of Jalisco and interviews community elders who remember him. As it turns out, most of the interviewees don't really remember Juan Rulfo the person, only the legend that he later became. The documentary also pays homage to the people of his father's generation.
Del Olvido al No Me Acuerdo won two Ariel Awards for Best First Work and Best Editing in 2000.
Nancy Flores - My freelance work, which ranges from writing articles, producing and editing online video and shooting photos, focuses on Mexican travel, ...
