A Conversation with Robert Rodriguez & Diego Luna
Actor Diego Luna has appeared in a number of popular and critically accliamed films, including Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También (2001), Kevin Costner’s Open Range (2003), Steven Spielberg’s The Terminal (2004), Gus Van Sant’s Milk (2008), and Neil Blomkamp’s Elysium (2013). Luna will discuss his latest role as director of a new film, Cesar Chávez, about the famed Chicano civil rights leader, which is screening at SXSW. Robert Rodriguez, director of the groundbreaking indie hit El Mariachi (1992), as well as Desperado (1995), Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), Sin City (2005), and the popular Spy Kids and Machete movies, will talk about the launch of his Latino TV network EL REY, and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, a spinoff of his cult favorite film, which will debut on March 11 on EL REY. He will also discuss his forthcoming sequel, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. Moderated by film professor Charles Ramírez Berg.
Presenters
Charles Ramirez-Berg
Professor
The University of Texas at Austin
Diego Luna
Dir
CESAR CHAVEZ
Diego Luna began his professional career on the stage at the ripe age of seven. At the age of twelve, he made his television debut, and has since included film, television, and stage in his repertoir. He has lent his talent to over 30 films, both Mexican and foreign. Most notably, he is know for his roles in Y Tu Mamá También, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Rudo y Cursi, where he reunited with Gael García Bernal under the direction of Carlos Cuarón; Milk, directed by Gus Van Sant; and most recently in Elysium, directed by Neill Blomkamp. Diego has also been part of such theater productions as De Película and El Cántaro Roto with the theater company, Compañia Nacional de Teatro, with whom he received a Premio Revelación Masculina 96-97, by the theater critics association. In 2008, he produced and acted in The Good Canary, directed by John Malkovich. At the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, Diego made his directorial debut with the documentary J.C. Chávez. Abel became his second project behind the camera, and his fiction feature debut, which also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2010. In June of 2012, Diego wrapped production on his latest feature as a director, Chavez, based on the life of legendary farm worker and union leader, Cesar E. Chavez, which is set to hit theaters in March of 2014.