Actor Miguel Rodarte On Cleaning Up Mexico's Drug Traffic Problem
- Details
- Category: Interviews
- Created: Monday, 12 September 2011 08:16
- Published: Monday, 12 September 2011 08:16
- Written by Lupe Haas
In SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ, Miguel Rodarte is Julian Perez, a powerful "narco" (drug lord) whose dying mother refuses to forgive him for his career path unless he rescues his brother from Iraq. He sets out with his marry men of killers to rescue his brother and bring him home. CineMovie spoke with the SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ star by telephone about his starring role in one of the most expensive films out of Mexico and his thoughts on the causes and solutions to the violent take-over by organized crime in his native country.
Rodarte said what Mexico is going through is a "terrible situation" and blames the transition to democracy. Mexico was once ruled by one autocratic party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) but when the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) won the election in 2000, the different factions began fighting for power within the state. "Everyone is fighting over control of the state," said Rodarte who hails from Sinaloa.
The Tiger of Santa Julia (2002) and Sexo y Otros Secretos (2007) star offered solutions to solving the crisis. First off, the authorities need to enforce their power and secure the rights of citizens, victims, and perhaps the criminals too. He added the judicial system needs to change in order to reflect the reality of events in Mexico. Furthermore, putting a stop to organized crime and taking back the money and power that is driving them should be a priority. It has to start by getting rid of the top corrupt authorities within the government in particular, he said, and work its way down.
While the drug trafficking has affected tourism in Mexico, Mexican cinema doesn't seem to be suffering a set back, according to Rodarte. "Yes, they [movie-goers] are a little scared to go out," he said, but that didn't stop Mexican citizens from coming out and supporting SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ's message on family values and forgiveness.
He hopes the U.S. release of SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ will do the same and change people's perceptions about Mexicans. The expensive Mexican action-comedy is the first of its kind with a high production value and advanced technology, which is a showcase for the new Mexican cinema. In addition, what he loves most about the film is that his character goes up against a "powerhouse like the U.S."
Miguel Rodarte believes SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ is a film not only for U.S. hispanics to enjoy with their families, but for mainstream movie-goers as well.
SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ is currently playing in movie theatres.