N+ Docs: Después de las Armas is our first film and we are preparing a political series

Después de las Armas (After the Weapons) is the new documentary created by the production company N+ Docs, directed by Héctor Laso and produced by journalist Denise Maerker. It explores the risks and sacrifices faced by members of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) and was part of the selection within the 39th edition of the FICG.

In an interview, the director spoke about the process of making this project, which began in 2022 and required traveling to Chiapas five or six times. “We went to many places with the help of Fátima, a local who helped us move around, to meet the people who are part of this movement and gather their stories, building trust to show what life is like there.”

To achieve this documentary, a small team was needed to avoid causing too much disruption. “I even had to handle the camera while directing because we couldn’t bring in more people. We lit the locations ourselves, and one of the researchers helped with the script, in addition to an editor who served as an assistant director. It was 15 days of filming during which the crew and the story built a strong empathy.”

Technically, and given the conditions of the location, he mentioned that they had to film with two C500 cameras, using a Canon Cine Prime lens and SIGMA accessories, as well as a 5R camera with two lenses for use on the Ronin and Steadicam equipment.

“When we started filming and saw how few we were, we had two options: either we couldn’t do it or we go with just one camera. From the moment we filmed a scene with Major Mario in the cemetery, I told the team that we shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes. I didn’t want a perfect film; we had to show a human story where they acknowledged their mistakes. We had to be consistent with our story,” he added.

Regarding the diversity of content within the industry, Laso opined that films are focusing on gender issues. “It’s not that the industry is opening up; the stories are already there, being told, and no one needs permission to do so. The door is already open, and we are finding powerful stories.”

For N+ Docs, After the Weapons becomes their first film, which does not yet have a release platform, but they are looking for specific distribution “to reach the right audience.” Meanwhile, it will be showcased at various film festivals. Additionally, they are working on a series about the Mexican political party PRI, which “will generate a lot of discussions and possibly have its first screen on ViX.” They also announced that they have two other projects in development involving gender perspectives and the community.

After the Weapons had Julián López and Héctor Laso as directors of photography, a script by Carlos Morales, and music by Camilo Froideval. It explores the risks and sacrifices faced by Benito, Elisa, Mario, Felicia, and Luis Miguel as they sought to change a reality marked by misery, oppression, and neglect. An intimate portrait of the EZLN members and their lives after the weapons.