VIZCONDE
BIO
[ FILMMAKER, PRODUCER ]
Juan Manuel Mendez
studied Communications in Landivar University in Guatemala City and Graduated as a film director from the Centre de Estudis Cinematogràfics de Catalunya (C.E.C.C.) in Barcelona,
He has directed, produced and edited more than ten short films both fiction and documentaries, he is member / founder of AGACINE, the Guatemalan filmmaker association, and, working as a freelance director-producer for advertising TV and institutional documentaries, he was able to work in different countries such as US, Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica. He is a founding member of AGAcine.
In 2010 directs Chapstick a shortfilm that was in a few international film festivals.
Since 2012 he has been in charge of the local service production in advertisings for brands like Cementos Progreso, MoviStar, Pepsi, Bravha, Bantrab, Banco Industrial.
His project The End of Violence has won developing award from Cinergia and Ibermedia.
In november 2018 he finishes filming his Opera Prima, The Apostolate, selected between the 6 latinamerican films to participate in Primer Corte of Ventana Sur in decembre 2019. To be premiered in 2020.
realizó estudios de Ciencias de la Comunicación, en la Universidad Rafael Landivar (URL) de Guatemala. Graduado como Director Cinematográfico del Centre de Estudis Cinematogràfics de Catalunya (C.E.C.C.) de Barcelona.
Ha trabajado como freelance en varios materiales audiovisuales, como director, productor, editor y asistente de dirección para cine y televisión en España, Costa Rica, Estados Unidos, México, Brasil y Guatemala. Es miembro fundador de la Asociación Guatemalteca del Audiovisual y la Cinematografía (AGAcine).
En 2010 realiza el cortometraje Chapstick que tiene participación en varios festialves internacionales.
Desde 2012, ha estado a cargo de la producción local para diversas producciones publicitarias en comerciales para marcas como Cementos Progreso, MoviStar, Pepsi, Bravha, Bantrab, Banco Industrial.
Su proyecto El Fin de la Violancia ha sido ganador del premio a desarrollo de proyecto de Cinergia y de Ibermedia.
En noviembre 2018 termina el rodaje de su Opera Prima: El Apostolado, seleccionada entre las 6 películas latinoamericanas para participar en Primer Corte de Ventana Sur en diciembre 2019. Estrenada en VIMEO ON DEMAN por los efectos de la Pandemia en 2020.
FILMOGRAPHY
Chapstick
2011
After the death of Silvia, Mother calls Emma by the name of her deceased daughter. Emma has become Silvia. All the rituals of beauty in order to be the perfect Silvia become harder and harder as time goes by, but Emma will keep trying to become what Mother expects.
El Fin de la Violencia
In developpment
Juan is a middle aged guatemalan man that lives in Guatemala City where violence is at its pick. An epidemic of no violence starts, no one knows exactly what is going on, and this kind of virus has spread from the country to the city, but violence starts to fade. Fear is everywhere. People stop going out, and create their own explanation for the this phenomenon. Fear can be dangerous and Juan will have to make some difficult decisions in order to mantain his family safe.
El Apostolado
2019
A disident priest lives in a humble manner, he helps in his own way, people from different social classes, from whom he bowes in small and big favours. His way of living seems to work perfectly until he meets two people that put his intentions in doubt.
Las Flores
In developpment
A woman obsessed with her social status will do whatever it takes so no one finds out on her secrets. Social, religious and moral intrigue will mix in an arranged wedding that will have to take place in 6 sex or else...
Las Reinas de la noche
Corto Documental
Documental que relata algunas historias de mujeres trans en Guatemala
CHAPSTICK
OFFICIAL SELECTION
HBO NEW YORK INTERNACIONAL LATINO FILM FEST 2011
CINEMAISSI FESTIAL DE CINE LATINO Y CARIBEÑO DE FINLANDIA 2011
LAKINO FILM FESTIAL BERLIN 2011
RIO DE JANEIRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST CURTA CINEMA 2011
VII FENACO
CUSCO PERÚ, 2011
27e MARCHÉ INTERNACIONAL DU COURT MÉTRAGE CLERMONT-FERRANT
SHORT FILM CORNER FESTIVAL DE CANNES 2011