This documentary follows filmmaker German Alonso and his crew as they attempt to put together a feature film version of Alonso’s MexMan through proof of concept, trials and tribulations, and issues cropping up at every turn.
Director Josh Polon who co-wrote with Alex MacKenzie takes an honest look at filmmaker German Alonso, his work, and how his life influences his output. This is done by following Alonso as he preps for MexMan while also creating a stop-motion animation film for the woman he loves. Interviews with his friends and family show him as a very human person who has issues, challenges, and difficulties. Interviews with Alonso himself show how he works and functions, how his mental state influences his work and his working relationships. The film shows that he is highly talented and full of ideas, but also that he can get in his own way obsessing over details and conspiracies that sometimes mean he gets frustrated and frustrating to work with. This documentary is tragic in a way as it shows how much potential Alonso has while also showing that his projects seem to seldom get finished.
The interviews done for this documentary are interesting and show the evolution of relationships with Alonso and how these become tense as his issues come into play. This is edited by Alex McKenzie who lets important stuff shine and doesn’t shy away from issues, confrontations, and honesty. The way it’s all put together shows an interest for truth more than self-interest or wanting to make anyone in particular look good or bad. Things look to be shown as they are, no polishing, no changes, basically the truth with its good and its bad.
All of this is shot in a clear, direct manner by director of photography Josh Polon. As is often the case with independent films and documentaries, those involved wear multiple hats, which here helps to keep everything cohesive and coherent. The images created by Polon look good and give the documentary a very polished look, above expectations for an independent film of this type.
MexMan was a feature film project with a lot of potential that unfortunately fell victim to a very creative mind that is also encumbered by obsession, a tendency to cling to conspiracy theories, and possibly a few other issues. German Alonso is clearly a talented filmmaker but his issues get in the way and anything he could possibly achieve gets pushed back and ultimately not produced. This is the real tragedy here, Alonso’s talent is clear and visibly interesting but he gets in his own way. He is definitely a talent to watch for his ideas and to see what he may release someday. That being said, it doesn’t look like MexMan the feature film will ever get finished or released but let’s hope Alonso shows everyone wrong and gets to make it on his own terms.