MARIA Y JUANA 3

¨If you smell what Tokyo is cooking, then bring it on!¨ or something like that. I´m just trying to adjust The Rock´s catchphrase here to give off a bit of high level energy, but maybe most of you don´t even know who The Rock is, so... whatever. I am excited! 😃😃

The Rock - Dwayne Johnson

I am excited because things are happening here in Tokyo with Maria y Juana. 😃🤣😂 One of the first things I did after we arrived in Japan was to search for film, writer or acting groups in Tokyo. I found several through Facebook; Auteur Tokyo, Tokyo Filmmaker´s Collective, Japan Based Filmmakers and Actors 2.0, and recently Tokyo Writers Workshop. I´m sure there are many others, but these are plenty to begin to learn about what´s going on at the ground level, the local industry, what people are doing and working on, and then of course, all the creative types; editors, colorists, actors, photographers, directors. Without them there wouldn´t be a community. Without them, how could I learn anything about the local Tokyo film Industry?

It was through one of these - I can´t remember which one now - that I saw a post about Tokyo Art Tank Volume 10. A week-long demonstration of unique styles, arts and perspectives that focuses on the expression of contemporary artists in Tokyo. On one of these days a film festival will take place. Tokyo Art Tank wanted filmmakers to participate with their shorts, so I did. I sent Maria Y Juana and, a couple of days later, I was informed that it had been chosen to be a part of the Film Festival.

Are you kidding me? Isn´t this the coolest thing ever? Come on, you know how it is. Every time one of our little babies gets recognized we feel like such proud parents. And I am one proud parent right now!

On November 29th, for a space of 4 hours, 5 exciting shorts stories and documentaries created by indie filmmakers, will be shown. The event will take place at Gallery Conceal Shibuya. Yap, the same Shibuya that has the iconic Scramble Crossing.

Well, Maria y Juana will be shown at 6:30PM. Each Writer/Director will present the film and then participate in a Q & A. What else could I ask for? Oh, I know. It´s Free entry and Free popcorn! 🍿🍿🍿 Are you kidding me??? 😂😂

What a great way to end the year! It´s been 7 months now, and little by little I am feeling like I´m starting to belong and becoming a part of a community, of a bunch of crazy and creative people who want to do things, who are doing things. A bunch of dreamers who can´t stop believing in themselves.

Tokyo Art Tank Volume 10. is a great way to promote my film and also, in a personal way, for me to deeply consider the potential that this funny story has. Like I mentioned in my previous posts, I would love to develop this 8 minute short into a full length movie, which I would also love to film in Colombia. Why there? Because I am still in touch with the actresses, the cameraman, the sound guy. All of them. There is nothing better than to imagine this crew again working together, reliving all those wonderful magical moments of creativity and happiness that we felt while filming the short. And who knows, having in the end a product worthy of showing in a movie theater. Oh, I´m gonna make you guys proud Mr. Cheech and Mr. Chong. Well, I just hope so.

Thanks for coming, thanks for reading. Peace ✌🏽🕊️☮️