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"HELENA"

A powerful metaphor for how a woman perceives marriage: not as an act of love, but as a sentence.

  • Sebastián Vázquez
    Director
  • Fernanda López
    Director
  • Fernanda López
    Writer
  • Fernanda López
    Producer
  • Karyme Castellanos
    Key Cast
  • Sebastián Vázquez
    Director of Photography
  • Sebastián Vázquez
    Editor
  • Idioteca Films
    Production Company
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    "HELENA"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Surrealist, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 15 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 28, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Mexico
  • Country of Filming:
    Mexico
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - BUTHO // UPAEP
  • Cine Poblano: Los cortos de Sebastián Vázquez
    Puebla
    Mexico
    July 10, 2025
  • Festival Estudiantil de Cine en Cholula
    Puebla
    Mexico
    August 29, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Festival de Cine Universitario
    Guadalajara
    Mexico
    November 3, 2025
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Idioteca Films
    Distributor
    Country: Mexico
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Sebastián Vázquez, Fernanda López

ESPAÑOL

Sebastián Vázquez (nacido el 13 de abril de 2002) es un cineasta y fotógrafo analógico mexicano. Está en su proceso de titulación en Cine y Producción Audiovisual por la Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), especializándose en dirección. Comenzó su carrera en el campo del sonido, una formación que influye profundamente en su enfoque de la narración. Proveniente de una familia de músicos, Sebastián siempre se ha sentido atraído por el poder emocional y narrativo del sonido y la música en el cine, una sensibilidad que da forma a su trabajo cinematográfico, especialmente en videos musicales, donde la imagen y el ritmo se funden en uno.

Es el fundador de Idioteca Films, una productora centrada en la creación de obras visualmente impactantes y emocionalmente resonantes. Sebastián ha dirigido y producido numerosos vídeos musicales, cortometrajes y piezas creativas de diversos géneros y formatos.

ENGLISH

Sebastián Vázquez (born April 13, 2002) is a Mexican filmmaker and analog photographer. He's currently in his graduation process from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) with a degree in Film and Audiovisual Production, specializing in directing. He began his career in sound, a background that deeply informs his approach to storytelling. Coming from a family of musicians, Sebastián has always been drawn to the emotional and narrative power of sound and music in film, a sensibility that shapes his cinematic work—particularly in music videos, where image and rhythm merge into one.

He is the founder of Idioteca Films, a production company focused on creating visually striking and emotionally resonant work. Sebastián has directed and produced numerous music videos, short films, and creative pieces across various genres and formats.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

ESPAÑOL

Helena es una metáfora poderosa sobre cómo una mujer percibe el matrimonio: no como un acto de amor, sino como una sentencia. Para ella, casarse es un suicidio —la muerte de su espíritu, de su libertad, de su individualidad. Un anillo o un papel no disuelven su soledad; al contrario, la vuelven más fantasma que nunca. El personaje representa la pérdida de inocencia, el sacrificio forzado de la autonomía femenina al unirse en un vínculo que, en vez de liberarla, la encierra. Helena no muere físicamente, pero emocional y espiritualmente se desvanece. Es una crítica cruda y poética a las estructuras tradicionales del matrimonio.

ENGLISH

Helena is a powerful metaphor for how a woman perceives marriage: not as an act of love, but as a sentence. For her, getting married is suicide - the death of her spirit, of her freedom, of her individuality. A ring or a piece of paper does not dissolve her loneliness; on the contrary, it makes her more of a ghost than ever. The character represents the loss of innocence, the forced sacrifice of female autonomy by joining in a bond that, instead of freeing her, imprisons her. Helena does not die physically, but emotionally and spiritually she fades away. It is a raw and poetic critique of the traditional structures of marriage.