The acclaimed film director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo kicked off the May Festival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife last night by delivering a heartfelt proclamation. In his speech, he eloquently narrated his deep personal and artistic ties to the city where he was born and raised. Describing Santa Cruz as a place that is deeply ingrained in him, Fresnadillo expressed that it was the starting point of his journey in the world of cinema.
Against the backdrop of the San Carlos Barracks, Fresnadillo painted a picture of his storytelling craft, tracing its origins from childhood to adolescence, filled with family, friends, and first loves. He proclaimed that Santa Cruz was where his passion for images and cinema blossomed. Reflecting on the city, he shared, “This city remains etched in my memories, a place I always yearn to return to. Santa Cruz is where my love for cinema was awakened, where my cinematic journey began. It continues to hold a special place in my heart.”
Titled “Santa Cruz, an Emotional Map,” the proclamation served as a nostalgic reflection on Fresnadillo’s life and professional trajectory intertwined with his hometown. It was a sentimental journey exploring the profound connection between his memories, Santa Cruz, and the world of cinema – a place where he found his own cinematic voice.
Before diving into cinema, Fresnadillo confessed that photography was his initial passion. Recalling moments from his childhood spent in his aunt and uncle’s palm tree house, he revealed how encounters with the works of maestros like Henri Cartier-Bresson sparked his artistic journey. He confessed, “Many corners of Santa Cruz served as my early muses, laying the foundation for my career in filmmaking.”
Fresnadillo emphasised the significant role Santa Cruz played in his cinematic endeavours. He reminisced about how the city inspired his debut film, “Handcuffed,” narrating a pivotal scene set in San Clemente Street. The director also drew parallels between scenes from his films, like “28 Weeks Later” and “Intacto,” with his childhood memories of Santa Cruz, citing instances of inspiration from his formative years.
In his concluding remarks, Fresnadillo called for a greater appreciation of Canarian artists and their contributions to the global cultural landscape. Urging institutions and authorities to nurture and celebrate artistic legacies, he envisioned Santa Cruz as a gateway to international artistic movements and collaborations.
The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, commemorated the city’s rich history and its upcoming 530th anniversary on May 3. Praising the citizens as the custodians of collective memory and traditions, he lauded Fresnadillo as a hometown hero who had successfully projected the essence of Santa Cruz onto the world stage through his cinematic achievements.
Preserving a Filmmaking Legacy
Acknowledging the profound impact of Santa Cruz on his life, Fresnadillo mused, “Santa Cruz will always be my first landscape, my vital heartbeat. Leaving the city may be inevitable, but its essence will forever be a part of me.”
