Experiencing Interruptions?

The Lizard and the Lizard

In the writers' room for "El Aguacatón de Oro," Majo (Marie Lima), Victoria (Victoria Rodas), and Marie (Mari Soto) face the challenging task of creating a story around "The Lizard and the Lizardess." Amid debates over comedy, horror, and philosophy, tensions rise as they propose plots ranging from past romances to deep symbolic elements. However, divergent opinions lead to an abrupt interruption, resulting in a final idea that marks the beginning of a new cycle.

  • Alejandro Retana
    Director
  • Alejandro Retana
    Writer
  • Alejandro Retana
    Producer
  • Marie Lima
    Key Cast
  • Victoria Rodas
    Key Cast
  • Mari Soto
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    El Lagarto y la Lagartija
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 28, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    50 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Guatemala
  • Country of Filming:
    Guatemala
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Alejandro Retana

Alejandro Retana (Guatemala, 1990) is a photographer, videographer, screenwriter, and film director with 10 years of experience. From a young age, he was interested in photography, film, and writing. He made his first short film in Mexico while studying for a Diploma in Sports Journalism at the JRF in 2013. This experience made him fall in love with filmmaking, so upon returning to Guatemala, he decided to study Audiovisual Production at the Universidad Panamericana. Additionally, he took several diploma courses and workshops in photography and film at various in-person and online schools in Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. In 2018, he went to Mexico to study Cinematography at AMCI, from which he graduated in 2019, and also studied Screenwriting at UNAM. In 2022, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Film and Television from Da Vinci University of Guatemala, being part of the university's first class of filmmakers.

Since 2019, he has taught remote screenwriting classes through the Superproof platform, and in 2021, he began teaching in-person classes at La Finca la Azotea. In 2021, he organized his first film festival, the Chapinas National Short Film Festival. In November 2022, he filmed his first feature film "El Lienzo," in which he served as screenwriter, director, producer, and director of photography. He is currently in the post-production stage.

From 2013 to 2024, he has made over 20 short films, some of which have won awards at various festivals in Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, the United States, Italy, Canada, and Colombia.

Spanish:

Alejandro Retana (Guatemala, 1990) es un fotógrafo, videógrafo, guionista y director de cine con 10 años de experiencia. Desde su juventud, se interesó por la fotografía, el cine y la escritura. Realizó su primer cortometraje en México mientras estudiaba un Diplomado en Periodismo Deportivo en la JRF en 2013. Esta experiencia lo hizo enamorarse del cine, por lo que, al regresar a Guatemala, decidió estudiar Producción Audiovisual en la Universidad Panamericana, además de varios diplomados y cursos de fotografía y cine en escuelas presenciales y a distancia en Guatemala, México y Estados Unidos. En 2018, decidió ir a México para estudiar Cinematografía en AMCI, de la cual se graduó en 2019, y también estudió Guión en la UNAM. En 2022, se graduó de la Licenciatura en Cine y Televisión de la Universidad Da Vinci de Guatemala, siendo parte de la primera promoción de cineastas de la universidad.

Desde 2019, ha impartido clases de guion a distancia a través de la plataforma Superproof y en 2021 comenzó a dar clases presenciales en La Finca la Azotea. En 2021, organizó su primer festival de cine, el Festival Nacional de Cortometrajes por Chapinas. En noviembre de 2022, filmó su primer largometraje "El Lienzo," en el que fue guionista, director, productor y director de fotografía. Actualmente, se encuentra en la etapa de postproducción.

Desde 2013 hasta 2024, ha realizado más de 20 cortometrajes, algunos de los cuales han ganado en varios festivales en Guatemala, México, Panamá, Estados Unidos, Italia, Canadá y Colombia.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Director's Statement:

"The Lizard and the Lizardess" emerged from the dynamic and often challenging environment of the writers' room for "El Aguacatón de Oro." Majo (Marie Lima), Victoria (Victoria Rodas), and Marie (Mari Soto) navigated intense debates on comedy, horror, and philosophy while shaping this story. The diverse perspectives and the friction they caused led to a creative breakthrough, resulting in a narrative rich with past romances and deep symbolic elements. This short film is a testament to the power of collaboration and the beauty of divergent thinking, capturing the essence of transformation and new beginnings through the lens of our titular creatures.

Spanish:

Declaración del Director:

"El Lagarto y la Lagartija" surgió del entorno dinámico y a menudo desafiante de la sala de guionistas para "El Aguacatón de Oro." Majo (Marie Lima), Victoria (Victoria Rodas) y Marie (Mari Soto) navegaron intensos debates sobre comedia, terror y filosofía mientras daban forma a esta historia. Las diversas perspectivas y la fricción que causaron llevaron a un avance creativo, resultando en una narrativa rica en romances pasados y elementos simbólicos profundos. Este cortometraje es un testimonio del poder de la colaboración y la belleza del pensamiento divergente, capturando la esencia de la transformación y los nuevos comienzos a través del lente de nuestras criaturas titulares.