On the occasion of its screening at Essay Film Festival, we are re-releasing our conversation with Nuria Giménezabout her film, My Mexican Bretzel. 

The film will be available to screen on their online screening room from 25 March - 3 April for free to anyone in the UK. 

My Mexican Bretzel is Nuria’s debut feature film made entirely out of her grandfather's home footage, 16 mm film from the 1950’s and 60’s juxtaposed with excerpts from a diary to reveal the inner thoughts of Vivian Barrett, the beautiful wife of Leon. The entire film works as a personal reflection where love, desire, and death are all explored. Through these images and Vivian’s diary entries, which are placed as subtitles, we are privy to their beautiful holiday travels around Europe and the world, skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer. A seemingly aspirational lifestyle is contrasted with Vivian’s everyday concerns and observations that allow us, as viewers, a more nuanced and intimate reading of the images and reminded us that not everything is as it seems. 

It is an excellent film; one of those rare times that as soon as it ended, I went back and started watching it again from the beginning. Out of pure admiration, I contacted the filmmaker to invite her to speak about her process. 

Visit essayfilmfestival.com for more information on how to get tickets. 

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Thank you for listening. 

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