How Jorge Molina Turned “Muy Gay Too Mexicano” Into a Cinematic Fiesta: An Exclusive Interview with a Mastermind Filmmaker

Jorge Molina is a talented and accomplished professional screenwriter and filmmaker, known for his unique storytelling abilities and captivating visual style. His work has been featured in film festivals around the world and acquired by major streaming platforms, such as HBO Max. As a creative force in the industry, Jorge has brought to life several successful projects, including the critically acclaimed “Muy Gay Too Mexicano.”

In this article, we have the privilege of interviewing Jorge Molina, discussing his creative process behind “Muy Gay Too Mexicano” and his career as a screenwriter and filmmaker. Jorge’s passion for storytelling has led him to create compelling works of art that resonate with audiences on a deep level. His expertise in the field is undeniable, as he continues to break barriers and push boundaries in the industry.

Jorge’s unique creative process has been a driving force behind his success. With each project, he delves deep into the story’s heart, exploring the themes and characters in a way that brings authenticity and depth to his work. Through careful research, collaboration, and attention to detail, Jorge is able to craft films and scripts that not only entertain but also educate and inspire.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Jorge Molina, gaining insight into his creative process, his inspirations, and his plans for the future. As a master of his craft, Jorge’s journey serves as a testament to the power of hard work, passion, and dedication. Join us as we delve deeper into the mind of a true artist and explore the world of “Muy Gay Too Mexicano” and beyond.

What inspired you to create “Muy Gay Too Mexicano,” and what was the creative process like in bringing this short film to life?

This project was extremely personal to me, and I think it’s still, to this date, the script I’ve written that most reflects myself. The idea was sparked when I had to move back home to suburban Mexico after living almost a decade in the US while immigration paperwork was sorted out. I came out while living in the US, so I have never spent an extended amount of time in my country or with my family as an out gay man. This led to a really confrontational and eye-opening couple of months, in which I often felt like two completely different sides of myself (my roots and where I came from against this new self I created) were at odds with each other. Once I was able to return, I knew I had to write this somehow in order to cope and process with the emotions it stirred. After that, the script kind of flowed out of me, and my friend Lorena Lourenco responded to it and decided to shoot it for a very low budget in her apartment. It was never more than a passion project between friends.

How did you approach the writing process for “Muy Gay Too Mexicano,” and what were some of the key themes or messages you wanted to convey through the film?

Once I knew what the central concept was going to be (a young man prepares for a date and his two opposing identities give him conflicting advice), writing was actually quite easy. I just let the feelings and internal dialogue I often had with myself be put into the page. A lot of the lines and interactions are things that actually happened to me or things that I wished I’d said in the moment. The key theme that I always wanted to have at the center was the importance to integrate all the different sides of yourself that initially may seem like they’re at odds. There’s a value to each of them, and it’s key to learn to listen exactly to what they each are bringing to yourself. In my case, it was my gay and Mexican sides, but everyone has conflicting identities that actually enhance one another.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in bringing “Muy Gay Too Mexicano” to the screen, and how did you overcome them?

It was a very low-budget film. Just a group of friends getting together over two weekends and making it work. I fortunately had an amazing team around me, from the director, Lorena, to our amazing actors, to other key collaborators like the production designer or the composer. We could have let the restraints stop us from accomplishing the vision, but we all were equally passionate about their story and always had that on top of mind.

The film has been accepted into over a dozen film festivals worldwide and acquired by HBO Max for a three-year distribution deal. Did you anticipate this level of success, and how has the film’s reception impacted your creative career?

I never could have anticipated this would have been the end for the short. I am so grateful that so many people responded to the short and so many festivals decided to play it. It was in one of those festivals that HBO reached out asking if we were interested in being acquired, which was a no-brainer decision. The opportunity for not only thousands, but millions, of new people having the short available to them in their living rooms is incredible and something I don’t take for granted. Besides hearing now and then from people that discover and connect with it, it’s also great to point to it and say that I have written something that lives on that platform. It does make a difference in this industry.

What was it like working with the cast and crew on “Muy Gay Too Mexicano,” and how did you collaborate to bring your vision to life?

I couldn’t have done it without the cast and crew. Without them, “Muy Gay” would have just stayed as a story or a script. It was very important to me that they all understood where I was coming from when I wrote it, so the director and I had extensive meetings with each person to talk through their duties and make sure we were on the same page with the vision. It couldn’t have been a lovelier experience, where everyone (from the cast to the DP to the assistants) gave it their all, and I think that passion and camaraderie certainly reflects on the final project. 

The film tackles important issues surrounding identity, culture, and acceptance. Can you speak to the role of storytelling in addressing these topics and why it’s important to have diverse representation in media?

People often underestimate the power that entertainment has in how we cope and deal with our worlds. Many people use films and television as a form of escape, but it’s also a tool that helps us make sense of the people, problems, and events going on around us. So, for me, it makes sense that the entertainment we produce and consume has to reflect the world we exist in – the wide array of identities and cultures. Movies and TV shows are often first windows into other perspectives, and the more diverse they are, the bigger understanding we can get of our society and of ourselves.

How do you see “Muy Gay Too Mexicano” fitting into the larger landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in film and media, and what impact do you hope it will have on audiences?

While I am incredibly proud of it, and of the ways it has resonated with the people that have found it, I think it’s too small of a project to really leave an indentation by itself on LGBT representation. However, I think it’s one of many in a wave of projects that aim to portray a more authentic and original perspective. It definitely will keep fueling me in future projects, and hope it leads to bigger ones that can reach more people.

What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers and writers looking to tell stories that push boundaries and challenge societal norms?

If you don’t love what you are making, no one is going to either. Rather than trying to appeal to what you think will resonate with audiences, or what you think is popular right now, tap into what fuels you, what moves you, what you are passionate about. If that love is reflected into your project, people will inevitably connect with it.