Alfonso Cuarón and his son, Jonás Cuarón, made their debut visit to South Korea. The father-son duo opened up about their lives as filmmakers, discussing how they’ve influenced each other beyond their familial bond.
On Thursday, the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, hosted a press conference for the 31st Busan International Film Festival, featuring the acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón and his son, up-and-coming filmmaker Jonás Cuarón.
During the event, Alfonso Cuarón expressed his enthusiasm about his first visit to Korea, saying that he’s delighted to engage with all of the people. Busan is fantastic, and he’s thrilled to be here.
Jonás Cuarón greeted the audience, declaring himself a massive fan of Korean cinema. He shared his excitement about meeting Korean audiences, especially in Busan, and added his pleasure at the opportunity to screen Gravity in 3D IMAX.
Jonás further revealed his admiration for Korean films, stating that he adores movies ranging from The Host to Parasite, and more recently Hope and Next Sohee. He connects with their powerful themes and unique sense of humor.
Jonás Cuarón shared insights into how his father has inspired his life and career. His father exposed him to countless films; cinema has always been an integral part of his existence. Jonás explained that Alfonso Cuarón watches movies with an infectious passion.
He continued that growing up immersed in classics, thrillers, and action films shaped his scriptwriting, which ultimately led to Gravity. Everything, from his relationship with his father to his deep love for cinema, has nourished his creativity. It’s fair to say that his father has been instrumental in shaping his guiding principles.
Alfonso Cuarón reflected on his role in Jonás’s development, noting that he taught his son extensively during his studies and early film work. While he introduced Jonás to numerous films and frequently took him to the cinema, Alfonso revealed that he actually advised against formal film studies.
Alfonso remarked that he could say his son was raised on film sets, and mentioned that many of Jonás’s friends are also in the film industry. He recalled the moment when he asked Jonás about his career aspirations, and Jonás declared his desire to become a director.
Alfonso Cuarón praised his son’s unique cinematic voice, saying that it’s remarkable how Jonás has developed his own distinct style. In a way, he’s influenced Alfonso Cuarón’s cinematic language. He also commended Jonás for being a director who values the audience. Alfonso emphasized that the strength of Jonás’s films lies in his ability to focus on themes while excelling in visual storytelling.
Alfonso Cuarón elaborated on his reasons for discouraging Jonás from studying film formally. Alfonso Cuarón wanted Jonás to develop a broader worldview. He noted that excessive film-watching can turn everything into a reference. It’s crucial to experience life directly; otherwise, you risk viewing life solely through cinematic references. Alfonso expressed concern about the industry’s challenges, including failures, frustrations, and shattered dreams. However, he humorously concluded that but it’s too late now. Once you step into this world, there’s no turning back, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Alfonso Cuarón emphasized the importance of the audience in his filmmaking process. Before he’s a director, he’s an audience member and a cinephile, he stated. When he works on a script or direct, he aims to create the film that he, as a viewer, would want to see.
Alfonso Cuarón has cemented his status as a master filmmaker, winning the Academy Award for Best Director for Gravity (2013) and both the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography for Roma (2018). Jonás Cuarón co-wrote the screenplay for Gravity with his father and recently directed the Netflix original film “Chupa” (2023).
