Peruvian cinema has more and more alternatives for the public's enjoyment, one of them is 'Vaguito', the national film with an animalistic focus that tells the story of a little dog who lost his best friend and who waits day by day, in the beaches of Punta Negra, for its impossible return. Director Alex Hidalgo, in conversation with La República, was surprised and grateful for the audience's reception in movie theaters.
—How did the idea of making 'Vaguito' come about?
—In March 2022, the story of a little black-nosed dog who waits for his best friend every day in front of the sea, the friend who could never return, goes viral on social networks, Peruvian and international pages. From there, I went to investigate a little about the little dog, some residents were unaware of the story until I arrived with a good friend, Laura Bances, who belongs to the 'Vaguitos de fourpatas' community and they told me that they are the ones who take in to Vaguito and they take care of him. That story reminded me a lot of that of Hachiko, the world-famous Japanese dog, and I said: “Wow, how nice it would be to bring to the big screen a story not about a foreign dog, but about a Peruvian one.” This is how this whole journey begins and is bearing fruit, thank God.
—How was this film made, financially speaking? Since an animalistic story is not necessarily very attractive…
—It was difficult at first, it is not easy to make films in Peru and even more so for a new production company like us, Bamboo Pictures. It is our film that takes an animalistic approach; However, these times have changed a lot, the love for pets has increased a lot, as well as abandonments and associations. And yes, there are brands that are related to pets and that more or less have that line of values that they express. Among other large and small brands, they gave us their support. Also with the help, obviously, of associated producers who, without them, this film would not have been possible, which in itself does not have a large budget, but it is a film with a big heart, which leaves a very important message for everyone. .
—What was the main objective when making this film?
—The message, which is what the public, to this day, has been grasping. Every time the cinema comes out, beyond laughing and getting excited, they understand that The purpose of this project is to promote the adoption, sterilization, and non-abandonment of animals and make them part of your family. It is precisely the puppies that are homeless that are the most loving and most faithful.
—What is it like to work with a dog? I understand that there was even a casting.
—Well, this function was carried out through a professional trainer, which is Wilmer Flores. Got together, I asked him to please help me find the right dog for the movie. He visited several shelters until he found a little dog that he saw playing with the ball, that ran from one place to another, was super crazy and he saw that he had the conditions. In a month and a half he prepared for the film. Obviously, you had to be patient with him, because he is three years old and he did the scenes for you once or twice, the third time he didn't want to know anything.
—At the premiere of 'Vaguito' not many people came, but after the story went viral on social networks, now there are full houses, what do you think of the public's reaction?
—It's true, I The first days I was a little sad because people were not coming to see such a beautiful story, even though the people who went left happy. Word of mouth (recommendation) began to work, little by little, until suddenly on Sunday the networks exploded, my wonderful Peruvian brothers who support a film with this spirit. I have felt very excited: on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the rooms were completely full. It has become a trend on social networks, it is incredible. I thank God, above all, for that, and for my Peruvian audience, who are very supportive of these types of projects that have a very important message.
—Do you have the number of attendees so far?
—Until Sunday we were like 40,000 people. We started low, but as of (today) Tuesday I still don't have a figure. But this is increasing and more and more people are joining. It's been fantastic. I think this has not been seen before, we also compete with good Peruvian films, of course, from good directors.
—Since you mention Peruvian films, they compete with 'Chabuca' in theaters, have you seen the film?
—Yes, I consume a lot of Peruvian cinema, I went to see the movie 'Chabuca', I really liked the proposal. I know Jorge Carmona (the director), I have had the opportunity to work with him at one point when he was an actor and (now) he is a great director. I really like his work, but it is a proposal for a different audience. Each film has a different target audience and I believe that in that film they have worked very well on the subject of production, it is evident that they are accompanied by a more or less interesting budget, unlike 'Vaguito'. And I think that each proposal is beautiful, not only 'Chabuca', (also) 'Dead or Alive', 'Yana Wara'. We Peruvians have to unite and support, because they are fellow producers and actors, who are behind us, trying very hard to move Peruvian cinema forward.
—Sometimes, when certain Peruvian films are released, there are people on social networks who criticize and allege that the State provides budget to carry out some proposals that perhaps are not to everyone's liking. From your experience, to what extent does the Government support these projects?
—I have been participating for several years, trying to get a film forward through the Ministry of Culture, I have not had any luck. They award some films, but I think it's not enough. The Film Law has been fought for many years, trying to ensure that the taxes obviously go to the production companies, so that we can make more films, but it has not happened until now. In the cultural and artistic field there is no adequate budget for us to develop like in Santo Domingo, where great achievements can be made with taxes. In Peru, we have to fight it, knock on the doors of brands, look for friends, partners who want to support, spread the word. I also applaud that there are some films that won the competition in SWOT (Audiovisual Direction, Phonography and New Media).
—Will part of the proceeds from 'Vaguito' go to any organization?
-That's how it is. Obviously, the films are distributed, the theater owners see a commercial side, but with my partners we have agreed that a part of the percentage will be donated to 'Vaguitos de four paws', so that they can continue with their work. Not only that, there are going to be some international screenings. For example, there is one that will be in Atlanta, in two months, with the aim that all the proceeds will go to the Vaguito community. On the 24th and 26th there will be two shows, in New York and New Jersey. Several animal associations are beginning to write to me and what I am proposing is to show the film wherever, and the proceeds go to their community and help the animals. I call on the associations, so that once it comes out, we can schedule an appointment to see how to make special screenings for people who have not been able to see it.
Hundreds of people go to theaters to see 'Vaguito'. Photo: LR composition/Bamboo Pictures
—Any message for the public who has not yet seen 'Vaguito'?
—The story of Vaguito is about a little dog who waits for his best friend every day in front of the sea. This has inspired a beautiful film, which basically highlights the theme of love for animals and loyalty. I also want to add something else, the novel 'Vaguito' has been released, which is already in the Heraldos Negros, Vallejo and Crisol bookstores. With this book, we also tell the story that you are going to see in the cinema and, in addition, that a percentage of the royalties will be allocated to the 'Vaguitos de fourpatas' community, that is, by purchasing the book, you are helping to several dogs in complicated conditions.
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