The new short in the Miu Miu Women’s Tales series is a tribute to determination, not ambition

«There is a phrase in Spanish that gives a good idea. Uno es de donde se siente parte». The place to which Lila Aviles it feels like it belongs, it has no borders and is difficult to geolocate. AND behind the camera. She didn’t get there right away. She took it away, without however straying too far from the main road. «I worked in various sectors of cinema: on costumes, make-up, set designs. I was an actress, assistant director and producer». Mexican Of Mexico City like colleagues Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro Iñárrituborn in 1982, a face that doesn’t ask permission, with his debut film The Chambermaid represented his country at the Oscars 2020 and won numerous awards at over 60 festivals worldwide. As proof of his skill, Miu Miu he chose her to sign the short number 25 of the series Women’s Taleswith which since 2011 the brand of Prada group invites the most original and profound directors to explore the universe of women. before her, Zoe Cassavetes, Chloë Sevigny, Dakota Fanning, Carla Simón… just to name a few. With his Eye Two Times MouthLila Avilés has chosen to tell female determination, “which is different from ambition”she says from a hotel in her city, because “there was no connection in my office and I managed like this”, before leaving for London and participating in thepreview of the short in the elegant Curzon Mayfair Cinema.

From the left, the protagonist Akemi Endo and Irene Akiko. Courtesy of Miu Miu

How did you talk about female determination?
«I did it through the story of Luz, a shy custodian in an art gallery with a big dream which is the main purpose of her life: to become an opera singer. In fact, she participates in the audition for the Madame Butterfly in one of the most important theaters in Mexico City, supported by two friends, Lucian and Chío, who teach her to let her voice and hands dance and tell her: “Your mouth is twice as big as your eye”».

And hence the title of the short. Why exactly there Madame Butterfly?
«I am fond of it. It’s the first production I’ve ever worked on as an assistant director. It happened 16 years ago, at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the temple of opera. After Giacomo Puccini, I also helped stage Handel, Mozart, Baroque opera… The Madame Butterfly, then, is considered a very difficult test for sopranos, extreme vocal maturity is required. In addition, it makes me think of the elements in common between Mexican and Japanese philosophy».

What distinguishes determination from ambition?
“Egolessness in the former.”

But isn’t a little ambition good sometimes?
«It can actually give the push. But it is determination that leads to results, because it is samurai discipline, precision, concentration, sensitivity».

This is the message he wanted to give with Eye Two Times Mouthbe determined and determined?
“Be determined and determined to find your voice in your chosen craft.”

And when did we find it?
“There is a Japanese proverb: ‘The slightest flutter of a butterfly’s wings can be heard on the other side of the world.’ Luz dreams of transforming herself, like a caterpillar transforms into a chrysalis and then into a butterfly. She appears to us in all her splendor when she finally takes the stage as Cio-Cio San, Puccini’s protagonist; her metamorphosis is complete.’

Who plays Luz?
Akemi Endo. She is a soprano living in Mexico City whose grandfather, Kensaku Endo, arrived here after WWII. The famous tenor Alan Pingarron plays the role of Lucian and the established actress Irene Akiko in that of Chío».

From the left, director Lila Avilés and tenor Alan Pingarron. Courtesy of Miu Miu

Has Mexico made significant progress in achieving women’s rights and gender equality?
“He’s still shut down, and ‘macho’, but he’s trying to break the mold. We have to be satisfied and at the same time continue to get busy for the girls who will come and thank us… I thank those who preceded me!».

What is it like being an independent filmmaker there?
“I’m also a producer and screenwriter. Here you can make different films depending on the theme you focus on, because Mexico is many things: it’s family, it’s history, it’s grateful and kind people, it’s nature… there are lots of plants everywhere”.

What advice would you give to those who are training to follow in his footsteps?
“Play and have fun, that’s the key. Often we allow ourselves to be conditioned by the stigma that it is too difficult a profession and it is wrong. Perhaps start with a short film on a topic that interests you, that comes from the heart and that can be explored further at a later time. It is also important to know cinema, obviously, but even more to read, because it develops concentration, creativity and even intimacy. Read before you watch.”

He already knew Miu Miu Women’s Tales?
“Yes! I particularly appreciated the works of Lucrecia Martel, Lynne Ramsey, Mati Diop and that of Carla Simón on motherhood».

What’s your next project?
“After the premiere of Eye Two Times Mouth in London, I fly to Berlin with my daughter to bring my latest work, Tortimeat the International Film Festival. It is the story of a family that falls apart in one day».

From left, Lila Avilés with an extra. Courtesy of Miu Miu

The short film by Lila Avilés for Miu Miu Women’s Tale, Eye Two Times Mouth, is available on Miu Miu digital channels, on YouTube and streamed on MUBI.

Source: Vanity Fair

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