REEL DE ORO

As Gaz Alazzraki was growing up in Mexico, his grandpa was prominent in the movie industry and his father was an influential type behind a number of high-profile campaigns for JWT, Publicis and many Carlos Slim companies. Which no doubt defined his life.Gaz studied at the University of Southern California, but had practical experience on movie sets as a production assistant and as an intern for the Hollywood blockbuster Legally Blonde, as well as for the stage show Wicked. He also directed his own short films, including La Oscuridad in 2008, Volver, Volver in 2005 and Respete las Señales in 2001. So he’s no stranger to the world of international moviemaking. His first feature, the 2013 film Nosotros los Nobles, recently positioned as Mexico’s biggest box-office hit of all time, raked in over $30 million.For the Mexican director, the most fun about his profession is working with talented people. “You enjoy yourself with them while you’re all creating something new” he says.He recently joined the roster of Cortez Brothers, which he describes as a great opportunity. “Being managed by a team that understands so well the special requirements of the Hispanic market provides a bigger opening for our creativity to shine through” the director says.Following in his father’s footsteps, Gaz keeps one foot in the advertising world, directing spots for global brands like Quaker State. Besides his efforts on behalf of his clients, some of what he does is very personal, like the hilarious piece he did for the Jewish Film Festival. Alazraki says he leaves his personal mark on his productions by seeking the most cinematographic focus possible, and by making the piece more about feelings that about aesthetics. For that reason his favorite director is Woody Allen, who inspires him for delving into “such intimate conflicts and such personal subjects”.His movies have been screened internationally at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Guadalajara Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Montreal Film Festival. As for his career in the future, it will all get “bigger and better”.Production company: The Cortez Brothers, USAContact: {Montserrat Luna;montse@cortezbrothers.com}T +1-310-821-8280{Watch video;www.produ.tv/popup.html?noti=7896}