The storm had already claimed the lives of at least two people in China's Hainan and 16 people in the Philippines
asia10 hours ago
While his style has been compared to that of his friend and Oscar-decorated collaborator Quentin Tarantino, Rodriguez recalled with a smile that he was never nominated for an Academy Award.
“I’ve achieved so much in my career which is so different from the Hollywood path that they don’t even give awards for that,” he said on the sidelines of the International Film Festival of Morelia, a city in western Mexico.
“Yeah, there’s no chance” of getting an Oscar, said Rodriguez, who left the Directors Guild of America because he disagreed with its rules.
Rodriguez defended his brand of cinema, insisting that “movies are supposed to be fun” and that a director who wants to do something out of the ordinary must ignore Hollywood rules and take an “unorthodox” path.
His career was launched by his widely acclaimed 1992 low-budget film El Mariachi about a Mexican musician who takes up arms to combat a gang after being mistaken for a criminal. The film won an award at the Sundance Film Festival.
This led to a career that includes the vampire thriller From Dusk Till Dawn, the dark action film Sin City and the child-friendly Spy Kids franchise.
Machete starred Danny Trejo as a former Mexican ‘federale’ (policeman) who wields blades to hack down countless enemies. In the follow-up, Machete is recruited by the US government to stop an arms dealer from launching a weapon into space.
The sequel debuted in fourth place at the North American box office last week with $3.8 million despite a star-studded cast that includes Mel Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlie Sheen and Lady Gaga.
His films are often a mix of US and Mexican flavours, reflecting his own heritage as a Texan of Mexican descent.
“Being a Mexican American, I like being able to use both sides,” Rodriguez said.
“I can make a very American film or I can make a very Mexican film, or something in between. I kind of like the in between where it’s a little of both,” he said.
“A lot people are like that in the United States. They have very mixed identities. This, I think, helps them say ‘Oh, that’s like me’ and I think they can enjoy it on a different level.”
Many of the actors in Machete Kills, which was partially filmed in the Mexican Pacific resort of Acapulco, are either from Latin America — like Mexico’s Demian Bichir or Colombia’s Sofia Vergara — or have Latino heritage, such as Sheen, Rodriguez or Jessica Alba.
“Robert is the one who has done more for Latinos in cinema in the last 50 years,” said Trejo, a long-haired former convict of Mexican descent.
Other recurring characters is in his movies are voluptuous and dangerous women who sometimes shoot down rivals with brazier guns.
“I love having strong women in my movies,” he said.
“I choose really strong women because I think that’s what’s sexy. You don’t have to exaggerate, just make them strong and beautiful.”
The storm had already claimed the lives of at least two people in China's Hainan and 16 people in the Philippines
asia10 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
transport10 hours ago
The former all-rounder has returned to cricket during the past year after a horrific car crash at the end of 2022
cricket10 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
emergencies11 hours ago
The country has set a new Guinness World Record by creating the largest falcon hood, beating the previous record of 1.65 metres
uae11 hours ago
Hamas' health ministry said that 94,616 people have been wounded since the conflict began on October 7
mena12 hours ago
In most Islamic countries, including the Gulf countries, the Prophet's birthday is observed on 12 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1444
uae holidays13 hours ago
Traffic will be diverted to the opposite side during this period
transport13 hours ago