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Guest DJ: Gael García Bernal's Music Diaries

Mexican actor and director Gael García Bernal.
MIGUEL MEDINA
/
AFP/Getty Images
Mexican actor and director Gael García Bernal.

English / Spanish

Several years ago, when I decided to become a journalist, I hung this saying above my office computer: "Unless you are absolutely sure that there is life after death, this is the only chance you get to prove your humanity."

Actor and director Gael García Bernal's work certainly embodies that quote. He exploded onto the Latin American film scene in 2000 with the now classic Amores Perros, and a year later achieved international recognition with Y Tu Mamá También. Since then, the films he's worked on have shown a commitment to artistry, and tend to be thoughtful, profound commentaries on the state of Latin America and Latinos today. His vision is apparent in his acting (in award-winning movies like The Motorcycle Diaries, about the life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara) and in the works he produces (Sin Nombre is a personal favorite, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming Who Is Dayani Crystal? with bated breath).

The other thing that unifies all of Bernal's work is amazing soundtracks — which is why we invited him to join us on this week's Alt.Latino. He works with renowned artists like Gustavo Santaolalla, Molotov, Julieta Venegas and Café Tacvba, while at the same time providing a platform for yet undiscovered artists who deserve a chance. In the words of Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras, Bernal's films call to mind those of Mexican cinema's "Epoca De Oro" (Golden Age), and have redefined Latin American cinema to be synonymous with excellent soundtracks.

Bernal joined us this week to share some of his favorite new bands, discuss how he is involved in the musical selections for his films and answer the million dollar question: How did he prepare to sing his ranchera-themed cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" for the movie Rudo Y Cursi?

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English / Spanish

Esta Semana En Alt.Latino: Invitado Especial Gael García Bernal

Hace varios años, cuando decidí que lo mio era el periodismo, colgué el siguiente refrán en mi oficina: "A menos que estés absolutamente seguro que existe la vida después de la muerte, ésta es la única oportunidad que tienes para demostrar tu humanidad."

El trabajo de Gael García Bernal parece abrazar este concepto. Se hizo conocer en el cine latinoamericano con Amores Perros, un verdadero clásico desde su estreno en el 2000. Un año después, recibió reconocimiento internacional por su actuación en Y Tu Mamá También. Desde entonces, sus películas han demostrado un gran compromiso artístico y profundos comentarios acerca de la realidad de América Latina y de los latinos en Estados Unidos. Esta visión se ve claramente en su actuación en Diarios De Motocicleta, una biografía sobre la vida de Ernesto "Che" Guevara, pero también en los proyectos que ha decidido producir, tales como Sin Nombre y Los Invisibles

Todas las películas de Bernal tienen bandas sonoras espectaculares. Trabaja con artistas de renombre como Gustavo Santaolalla, Molotov, Julieta Venegas y Café Tacvba, pero a la vez colabora con músicos que no son conocidos, pero merecen ser descubiertos

Gael nos habla está semana desde su casa en Buenos Aires, contándonos sobre sus nuevos artistas favoritos, como elige la música para sus películas y la pregunta del millón: ¿A quién se le ocurrió la canción "Quiero Que Me Quieras" de Rudo Y Cursi?

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Jasmine Garsd is an Argentine-American journalist living in New York. She is currently NPR's Criminal Justice correspondent and the host of The Last Cup. She started her career as the co-host of Alt.Latino, an NPR show about Latin music. Throughout her reporting career she's focused extensively on women's issues and immigrant communities in America. She's currently writing a book of stories about women she's met throughout her travels.