Una película de policías

A Cop Movie
What does it take to be a cop in Mexico City? Two professional actors undergo an immersive process to explore this question, gaining a visceral understanding of the responses as they guide us on their journey “inside”.
The police force, that most controversial of institutions in Mexico, occupies a particular place in society, being both central and an adjunct to the system. This topic has unquestionably held an enduring fascination for the film industry. There is a constant fear and uncertainty associated with having a father, a brother or a daughter in the police force. But there is also the pride or envy inspired by the uniform, as well as courage and a sense of duty. Simultaneously referring to and displacing these familiar representations, Alonso Ruizpalacios boldly integrates the role-playing aspect of the police officer and reclaims the “cop movie” genre, turning it into an audacious experiment at the blurry boundary between fiction and reality. Taken from a police poetry competition, the opening quote playfully invites us to witness this worthwhile exercise in self-awareness.
by Alonso Ruizpalacios
with Mónica Del Carmen, Raúl Briones
Mexico 2021 Spanish 107’ Colour

Part of the Berlinale Summer Special

With

  • Mónica Del Carmen (Teresa)
  • Raúl Briones (Montoya)

Crew

Director Alonso Ruizpalacios
Screenplay Alonso Ruizpalacios, David Gaitán
Cinematography Emiliano Villanueva
Editing Yibrán Asuad
Sound Design Javier Umpierrez
Sound Isabel Muñoz Cota
Production Design Julieta Álvarez Icaza
Costumes Ximena Barbachano de Agüero
Make-Up Itzel Peña García
Casting Bernardo Velasco
Assistant Director Pablo Pérez Lombardini
Production Manager Juan Manuel Hernández
Producers Daniela Alatorre, Elena Fortes
Executive Producers Daniela Alatorre, Elena Fortes

Produced by

No Ficción

Alonso Ruizpalacios

The Mexican writer, film and theatre director studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. His debut feature film, Güeros, had its world premiere in the Panorama and went on to win over 40 prizes at international festivals including the Best First Feature Award at the 2014 Berlinale and Mexican Premio Ariel awards in five different categories. His second feature film, Museum, won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the 2018 Berlinale and awards for Best Director at the Athens and Morelia film festivals.

Filmography

2008 Café Paraíso; short film 2010 El último canto del pájaro Cú (The Cú Bird’s Last Song); short film 2014 Güeros 2016 Verde; short film 2018 Museo (Museum) 2021 Una película de policías (A Cop Movie)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2021