U.S. HISPANIC
Eduardo Román, writer, director, and producer: Cuando Duerme Conmigo is a story of humanity told in a virtual world
Miryana Márquez| 4 de agosto de 2023
Eduardo Roman Director Cuando Duerme Conmigo
“When people feel vulnerable, they open up and talk about themselves, which otherwise they would not do. This is a reminder that we are human moves and make this story real,” said Eduardo Román, writer, director, and producer of the film Cuando Duerme Conmigo, which premiered in theaters in Mexico on August 3.
Although it is the first film made with virtual production in LatAm, in Cuando Duerme Conmigo there are no big explosions or otherworldly landscapes: virtuality takes a back seat, so that the focus is on the story of two people expressing their feelings. “They open their souls while spending a cold night together waiting for a medical result. The virtuality remains on the walls to see these two characters fight in a romantic duel,” said Roman.
He said it is an intimate film addressing life, affections, and what “society is stealing from us.” “Is the need to find ourselves as human beings at a time when special effects and rapid consumption abound. I think we live in a moment that is dehumanizing us. It is a topic that can catch the attention of the Mexican public, in addition to the fact that we have great talents, such as Ana Claudia Talancón and Erik Elías.”
Although the film will be on platforms, Román appreciates this first face-to-face contact with the public. Beyond enjoying it in large format as movie theaters, the fact that people meet other people makes sense. “At the same time, it sounds paradoxical that an intimate film, which talks about affections and people, has a background of virtuality. It is the first Spanish-language film with that technology. We are telling a story of humanity in a world virtuality created,” he said.
The goal was to experiment with virtual production and learn. “I was satisfied with the result. We considered it a pilot test, a good alternative for making quality cinema. We were the first to take risks which has value because it is much easier to direct a film in a real space. It is important to have a cinematographer who understands the issues of working with virtuality. In a real location, we would have every possibility of making the reverse shot without problems, and in this case, the plane and the reverse shot occur in the same space because it is on the same screen. We must turn the stage meticulously to avoid losing continuity,” he said.
Román mentioned that in addition to the production values present in the film, he feels proud of being part of the story by making the first film made with virtual production.
The film is an adaptation of Roman’s play. After its premiere in cinemas in Mexico and its release on platforms, they will also have a premiere of the original play around South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Bolivia). They also hope to do the play in Mexico with Mexican actors.
