For Emmanuel Tatto, there is a promising future for cinema in Yucatán if initiatives such as creating the Cinema degree at the University of the Arts of Yucatán (UNAY) continue. The filmmaker taught on Friday, August 16, the workshop titled “Documentary, fiction and non-fiction in cinema”, at the “José Martí” cultural center.
This workshop did not seek to be a traditional teaching space but rather an interactive forum where participants could explore the line between the documentary and the fictional.
Tattoo explained what a documentary is, how they make it, the difference between a documentary and a fiction film, and if there is a difference between the two.
The goal, he said, is to encourage dialogue, not only from the audience’s perspective but also from that of the creators. Tatto emphasized that it was not a vertical workshop where he imparts knowledge in a unidirectional manner but rather a collaborative space.
When reflecting on the state of cinema in Yucatán, the artist recognized notable growth in the last decade.
The city has grown a lot in 10 years, and I believe that also contributed to the growth of the medium, he said.
He highlighted how access to technology has democratized film production, as he considered that there are more and more cameras and models that are getting closer and lower in price. The possibility has opened for almost anyone to create, he stated.
However, Emmanuel Tatto also highlighted persistent challenges. Although there is growing interest and talent in the region, there is a lack of guidance and training. By creating the new film degree at UNAY, Tatto sees an opportunity to formalize and enhance local talent.
In 10 years, we will see a considerable increase in film productions and projects in Yucatán, he assured.
Likewise, he expressed skepticism about whether demographic growth alone has generated more opportunities in Yucatecan cinema: It has created more variety in the ecosystem, but opportunities remain limited.
The interviewee criticized that state policies have focused on tourism and have predominated over an auteur film culture: Tourist productions usually bring their equipment, relegating local talents to secondary roles, he condemned.
Finally, the filmmaker also called on the authorities to support more cinema and culture in Yucatán, pointing out that this has been relegated, especially during the pandemic, when it was one of the first sectors to suffer budget cuts.
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