Mexican director Sebastián Hofmann watched videos on YouTube for hours that told the horrible experiences of tourists when they purchased vacation packages. Tiempo Compartido (Eng: Timeshare), his second movie, is inspired by everything he saw: harassment, abuse, and absurd situations. The film shows the case of Pedro -interpreted by Luis Gerardo Méndez- a middle-class family man who, when buying a stay in a Timeshare in Mexico, gets everything except the vacation he dreamed of.
“We set out to make an anguishing and somewhat claustrophobic film, in the sense that the entire film happens inside this hotel. And in the cinematographic language, we decided not to see the sea, the camera always turns its back on the sea to generate that sensation of being trapped inside an artificial and inorganic space “, Hofmann explains. Tiempo Compartido combines black humor with the absurd until it reaches the culmination of a sinister story, explains the director who wrote the screenplay by Julio Chavezmontes.
Hofmann has chosen two male perspectives to recount the nightmare vacation. On the one hand, there is the character of Luis Gerardo Méndez, Pedro, who as a tourist is discovering the scam; while Andrés, an employee of the hotel – played by Miguel Rodarte – is eager to warn about the dangers of Everfields International, the resort of timeshares. The director decided that during the 96 minutes of the film neither of the two actors was missing and made them the backbone of the story.
Inspired by horror films and family films from the 1980s, Hofmann acknowledges that Tiempo Compartido also criticizes the holiday industry that subjects tourists to an artificial environment. “It has always seemed to me that behind these images of happy families in paradise lies something very sinister,” he explains. Hofmann’s nightmare vacation is a spiral of paranoia that contrasts with his debut horror opera Halley, released in 2012 and which earned him an Ariel Award.
For Tiempo Compartido, the director opted for the Italian Giorgio Giampà to play the difficult experience of tourist disappointment. The music is inserted in the story almost like a character. “[Giorgio Giampà] interpreted it as an anti-imperial film that criticizes capitalism and that these oppressed beings have no space to express their emotions. At the time of making the film, he made an artistic intervention and understood the anguish and tone of the film perfectly. What music does is tie up the atmosphere, “says Hofmann.
Tiempo Compartido has been very well received by international critics. The script of Chavezmontes and Hofmann was awarded at the Sundance Festival, and the performance of Rodarte obtained an Ariel in the last edition of the awards. The film premieres this Friday, August 31 in 200 theaters in 26 cities in Mexico (its first film was only distributed with nine copies). Hofmann points out that the good health of Mexican cinema has opened a very diverse range in the film productions that are being made in the country.
Trending News on PVDN
Puerto Vallarta News Brief with Felipe Alvarez for May 26, 2023 Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The Puerto Vallarta News Brief covers the top trending stories of the week on Vallarta Daily News and is hosted by Felipe Alvarez.
Recent Protests Disrupt 40% of Puerto Vallarta’s Economy Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - Tourism, a critical sector of Puerto Vallarta's economy, has been severely affected by protests, suffering both reputational damage and direct harm to visitors. Alejandro Torres Magaña, General Manager of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel and Motel Association, cited missed flights and hotel delays as significant issues.
Two More Puerto Vallarta Beaches Are Awarded Blue Flags Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Puerto Vallarta is set to host six beaches awarded with the Blue Flag accreditation, an esteemed international recognition for high environmental and quality standards. The Blue Flag committee has reconfirmed the status for four previously certified beaches while conferring this prestigious title to two new beaches…
American Tourist In Critical Condition in Puerto Vallarta After Wave Breaks His Neck Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - "Experiencing your sibling in critical care, confessing your love to him, anticipating the worst... it's a nightmare no one should have to endure," shared Adam Griffis. Adam's younger brother, Evan, is struggling for survival in a medical facility located in Puerto Vallarta. The 30-year-old experienced a freak accident while swimming last…
Where are the Risk Areas in the Event of an Eruption from the Popocatépetl Volcano Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - In recent days, an eruption from the Popocatépetl volcano spewed incandescent materials, resulting in ashfall across various regions of Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Puebla. In light of these events, the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) has proactively implemented an operational plan, aimed at mitigating potential consequences of…
Mexico’s Vacation Rental Boom is in Full Swing and Puerto Vallarta Isn’t Left Out Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The vacation rental industry in Mexico is currently thriving, marking an unparalleled period of success. From January to March 2023, INEGI recorded an impressive influx of nearly 18.8 million international visitors. This figure represents an increase of 3.87 million visitors or 25.9% when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. During…
Tactical Groups Are Added to the Streets and Beaches of Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - As a component of the safety strategies initiated at the Citizen Security Police Station, members from the Tactical Operations Group (GOT) have been bolstering street patrols all over Puerto Vallarta. Following directives from Commissioner Rigoberto Flores Parra and Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez, these officers ensure a visible and protective presence…
Volcanic Activity in Popocatépetl Disrupts Air Travel to Puerto Vallarta The volcanic activity of Popocatépetl has disrupted a minimum of 12 flights from the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to Puerto Vallarta, as revealed by the Pacific Airport Group (GAP). The airport in the capital experienced closures that affected flight schedules, beginning Sunday, May 21st, until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 22nd. GAP detailed that…
Inhabitants of Santiago Xalitzintla Believe Popocatépetl Volcano is Erupting Because They Didn’t Celebrate His Birthday This Year Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The volatile temperament of Popocatépetl volcano, characterized by explosive outbursts, fumaroles, ash falls, and powerful seismic activity, is attributed to a straightforward cause by the inhabitants of Santiago Xalitzintla, the community nearest to the massive crater of Puebla's giant. To these residents, the volcano isn't just a natural feature, it's a…
More Flights to Puerto Vallarta With High Demand, Plus New Route from LA Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The Director of the Public Trust for Tourism Promotion and Advertising, Luis Villaseñor Nolasco, has announced that Puerto Vallarta will expand its air travel links to both domestic and international locations. Additional flights to this popular beach destination are planned for the coming days. According to Villaseñor Nolasco, there has already…
