13/06/2023 - The producer and director of the Creators Lab invites creators to come and take part in this year’s edition, which will be led by the acclaimed Thai director in Yucatán

Estephania Bonnett, the CEO of Playlab Films, and the producer and director of the Creators Lab, which she organises with her company (see the news), is inviting creators to come and take part in this year’s edition, which will be led by acclaimed Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul in the jungles of Yucatán, Mexico.

Cineuropa: What is the main focus of the Creators Lab that’s being held in the jungles of Mexico, and how does it relate to the vision and the style of director Apichatpong Weerasethakul?
Estephania Bonnett: The Creators Lab will hinge on unlearning the established conventions of cinematic direction and discovering a new path to bringing out our own creative voice. The aim is to be fully present and mindful at every stage of the process, enjoy every moment, connect with the spirit of each film and just let yourself get carried away in an organic way.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul, as a director and mentor, brings his essence and his unique vision to this methodology that was created by Abbas Kiarostami and was later adapted by Werner Herzog. Apichatpong offers a more spiritual and mindful take on cinema, as well as adopting a particular way of approaching stories and the way they are told. This extraordinary and wonderful combination of him being fully present and mindful, together with his anti-establishment attitude to life, gives a unique meaning to the workshop experience.

Participating in the Lab with Apichatpong Weerasethakul allows us to experience a completely different, inspirational and transformative way of looking at film, life and the world. He encourages us to explore new narrative and aesthetic approaches, to connect with our essence as filmmakers and to find our own voice in the creative process.

What are the main objectives you hope the participants will accomplish when they complete the Lab, and how is the programme structured to help them achieve these goals?
The main objective we hope the participants will accomplish when they complete the Lab is to experience a transformation in their approach to, and their way of looking at, film. Through a structured programme, it’s hoped that the participants will successfully go through all of the necessary steps for making a film, from coming up with the initial idea right up to the presentation of a rough cut at the end of the workshop.

We seek out remote locations where the participants will have very little contact with the outside world and a limited internet connection. This way of working could prove challenging for them all at the beginning, but it becomes a crucial element in the process of transforming their gaze and the way in which we approach cinema during the workshop. In summary, the main objectives that we hope the participants will accomplish when they finish the Lab are to develop a more authentic and personal vision as filmmakers, experience a transformation in their creative approach, and establish a profound connection with their own cinematic voice.

How will you make the most of the environment of the Mexican jungle to enrich the learning experience during the Lab, and how are nature and the environment being incorporated into the activities and discussions?
We are taking advantage of the unique jungle setting on the Yucatán peninsula, in Mexico, to enhance the learning experience. This mystical and ancient location, with its chalky soil, sacred natural wells and Mayan heritage, will become a meeting point between the past and the present, where imagination merges with reality. Our workshop is taking place in Shambalanté, a sanctuary in the Yucatán jungle, which promotes relaxation and healing, exploring sacred geometry, age-old techniques and modern technology to create harmony between different time periods.

Apichatpong Weerasethakul, in turn, is including guided meditation sessions that will allow the participants to embark on a transformative journey and explore new perspectives when making films. Practising meditation opens up new ways of seeing things and deepens the connection with the artistic process. In addition, the combination of the natural surroundings, the isolation and the meditation creates a unique and immersive experience. Cutting ourselves off from the outside world also affords us a space that’s perfect for fostering introspection and creative exploration. During this cinematic retreat, the participants will disconnect from their day-to-day routines and will completely immerse themselves in the creative process.

(Translated from Spanish)