From a Cellphone to Cannes: The remarkable Journey of Bebé.

Embarking on the journey of creating my first piece of film, 'Bebé,' was a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and creative discoveries. Now, after a decade, with the short film standing completed out in the world, it's time to remember and share the behind-the-scenes tale of this cinematic adventure.

Inception of the Idea: The birth of any creative endeavor holds a certain magic, and the genesis of "Bebé" was no exception. In the halls of the filmmaking school I attended, each semester brought forth a unique opportunity for students to write screenplays for short films. Four lucky winners would then bring their vision to life by selecting a crew. Semester after semester, however, my submissions were met with undesired neglect, cultivating a lingering sense of unfulfillment.

Then came a chance encounter that would alter the course of my creative journey. A random meeting at the gym introduced me to a kindred spirit, Cristian Hoyos. Our immediate connection was forged by shared desires—mine to direct and his to act authentically. Both of us harbored a graceful dissatisfaction with our current paths, setting the stage for collaboration. Cristian, the aspiring actor, would soon become the embodiment of the character "Bebé."

The inception of Bebé was rooted in a unique challenge that Cristian presented to me. He yearned to inhabit a character that pushed the boundaries of comfort. In response, I crafted Bebé, a trans-woman living as a prostitute in a third-world country, navigating the complexities of motherhood amid societal disadvantages.

The inspiration for Bebé's narrative struck a poignant chord during a conversation with a young woman. Her words, "I’d rather kill my daughter than give her up for adoption," echoed with profound intensity. The fear of imagining her daughter existing somewhere unknown haunted her, robbing her of peace for a lifetime. These words lingered within me, demanding expression.

The writing process is a haze in my memory, the duration lost to the creative fervor that consumed me. What remains vivid is Cristian's immediate connection to the script and my own burgeoning obsession with the narrative. Together, we veered away from the initial notion of recording with our cell phones, opting instead for the grandeur of a real crew and professional equipment. My status as a filmmaking student lent invaluable assistance, transforming a challenging concept into a tangible project.

Pre-Production Challenges: They say the devil is indeed in the details, and during pre-production, I came face to face with the weight of this adage. One of the initial challenges lay in the intricate portrayal of Bebé, a character demanding nuanced acting expertise to do justice to her complexity. To bridge the gap between script and reality, we embarked on an unconventional journey.

Venturing into the streets, we immersed ourselves in the world we sought to capture authentically. The collaboration with real trans-prostitutes became a transformative experience. Cristian, our lead actor, embraced the enigmatic world, embarking on an adventure that went beyond the confines of the script. This immersive experiment proved invaluable, allowing Cristian to discover and authentically portray Bebé's voice—a testament to the commitment and dedication invested in bringing the character to life.

Another notable challenge emerged when the first scene, portraying Bebé being found on the street by another trans woman, was initially written for two trans women. Unfortunately, the night before shooting, both actors canceled due to panic. This unexpected hurdle could have derailed our plans, but it turned out to be a serendipitous twist in our filmmaking journey. In a stroke of fortune, Stefano Agudelo stepped in on the same night, replacing the two trans actors. With no time for rehearsals, Stefano embraced the role, and to our amazement, he shone brightly the next morning. His ability to seamlessly adapt to the character without prior preparation became a testament to the unpredictability and resilience required in the world of filmmaking. The scene unfolded beautifully, thanks to Stefano's impromptu contribution and the collaborative spirit of the team.

The days on set unfolded as a tumultuous blend of excitement and chaos. Originally, our vision for Bebé was to capture the entire story in a single, marathon day of shooting. However, fate had other plans, and our journey took an unexpected turn. As the clock struck 5 pm, in adherence to contractual obligations, our sound guy bid us farewell. Little did we realize the crucial role sound plays in a cinematic narrative until its abrupt absence left us with a sobering realization. Undeterred, a decision was made to soldier on and continue shooting. In hindsight, it proved to be an erroneous choice—everything captured post-5 pm became a regrettable investment of time and effort, a lesson learned in the unpredictable landscape of filmmaking.

Undeterred by setbacks, we rallied our forces and returned the following weekend with renewed determination. Serendipity smiled upon us as we secured a more spacious setting, a stroke of luck that breathed new life into the project. The expanded space not only rectified the previous setbacks but also allowed for a more intricately orchestrated second part of the film.

In the grand tapestry of our filmmaking journey, this on-set anecdote became a chapter of resilience, adaptability, and the unforeseeable twists that make each project a unique adventure. It reinforced the understanding that, in the unpredictable realm of filmmaking, every setback can be an opportunity for creative rebirth and an unexpected enhancement to the final product.

The Big Reveal: Post-production unfolded with surprising ease; most of the material remained pure gold. The performances, a culmination of the hard work invested during pre-production, paid off beautifully. As we wrapped up and everyone basked in the glow of their collective achievement, a thrilling twist awaited.

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL recognized our work and ushered us into the prestigious Court Métrage Short Film Corner section, catapulting our creation onto the global stage. This unexpected turn of events marked a profound shift in the course of our lives. Excitement should have been the prevailing emotion as I boarded the flight to Cannes, but deep depression gripped me. Throughout the entire week at Cannes, I found solace only within the confines of my hotel room.

Amidst the prestigious film festival and the congratulatory emails flooding in from people worldwide who had experienced our masterpiece, an inner pain persisted. The external acclaim couldn't erase the internal struggles I faced. Still, within the midst of my personal battle, I remained profoundly grateful for those who connected with the story of Bebé. The power of storytelling revealed itself not only in the accolades but in the genuine impact it had on the audience, a bittersweet realization amid the glamour of Cannes.

Conclusion: Reflecting on this filmmaking odyssey, I'm grateful for the lessons learned, and the growth experienced. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a fellow creative soul, I hope this glimpse behind the scenes provides insight and inspiration for your own artistic endeavors. Sharing my first movie experience through this blog has been cathartic, a way to relive the highs and lows, and perhaps inspire others to embark on their cinematic adventures. Remember, every frame tells a story, and behind each story lies a fascinating journey of creation. Don't let depression blur the magic moment of watching people engage with your creation.