BY: Miguel Ernesto Yusty

AAlexander Quezada is a director who works in the horror genre and who surprised audiences in 2014 with the release of ZUGAR ZOMBIE, a short film that honored the very essence of zombie cinema, just as masters like George Romero did in their now-legendary films decades earlier. More than metaphysical horror, Quezada's short film offers a ruthless critique of the political world, where power at any cost is an imperative that supersedes all other considerations. These merits led us to visit the director's studio, where he also works as a finishing expert, adding the final color touches to commercials and feature films. The result of our visit is the interview that follows.

MEYprod. What has happened in your life since ZUGAR ZOMBIE?

AlexQ. After making Zugar Zombie, I've been directing various television and advertising projects, as well as handling post-production for several films. While promoting the zombie film and another short film called EN MI RECUERDO SIEMPRE ESTARÁS (which has already received over 50 international selections) at film festivals, I've also been developing two feature film projects: LA REBELIÓN DE LOS MUERTOS and ENSAYO DE TRUCHA.

MEYprod. What are you going to direct next?

AlexQ. I wish I could direct nonstop, but I think it's going to take a while. I'm working on a short film called THE SAD REALITY, which is a reflection on the use of non-professional actors in a mockumentary style, and the two feature films I told you about, which are projects I'm writing myself. The idea is to make them feasible projects—simple productions that don't require huge budgets. Of course, like zombies, no matter how cheaply you think you can make them, they'll always be expensive. The good thing is that I've made some great international contacts, and they're waiting for me to finish the script so they can explore possibilities, but there's still a ways to go.

MEYprod. What is your role as a visual artist? The one where you add the finishing touches to the work of other directors.

AlexQ. Well, I wouldn't call it a visual artist, I'd call it a facilitator of possibilities, hehehe. It's cool, it's something I enjoy. I try to understand the stories and create work where the story reigns supreme and takes center stage. I aim to enhance the images so that the perception and feeling of the spectrum is a bit more impactful. The work is basically that of a colorist and doing the final renderings; it's something I was already doing with my own work and that I currently do for others as well.

FILMOGRAPHY

− DUNES (Short film) 2013

− YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY MEMORY (Short film) 2014

− ZUGAR ZOMBIE (Short film) 2014

− THE FLIGHT OF THE KITE (Feature Film) – In Development

− THE REBELLION OF THE DEAD (Feature Film) – In Development