"Pepe": interview with director Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias

Exploring the Enigmatic World of "PEPE" with Director Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias at the 74th Berlinale

"Pepe": interview with director Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias Federica Scarpa

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At the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival, Fred Film Radio spoke with director Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias about his mesmerizing film “PEPE” in the Official Competition section. In this exclusive interview, the director shared insights into the film’s inception, visual storytelling, and the profound messages woven throughout its narrative.

Unveiling the Inspiration

Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias‘s journey with “PEPE” began with a moment of contemplation sparked by a statue of Pepe, the first and last hippopotamus killed in the Americas. Pepe was one of the three hippopotamuses owned by Pablo Escobar. This whimsical encounter laid the foundation for a film that transcends conventional storytelling, piecing together disparate tales like a puzzle with Pepe at its core.

Crafting the Narrative Puzzle

“PEPE” is a mosaic of diverse frames and stories intricately woven together, unified by the enigmatic presence of Pepe. Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias elucidated this approach’s visual and narrative choices, delving into the challenges and rewards of assembling such a complex cinematic tapestry. He shared insights into how he visually orchestrated the film’s interconnectedness, creating a mesmerizing effect that blurs the lines between reality and imagination.

Language and Identity

One intriguing aspect of “PEPE” is the use of multiple languages, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of its characters. The director explained the significance behind this creative decision, offering a glimpse into the film’s exploration of identity, communication, and the fluidity of language in a world where barriers dissolve.

A Cinematic Journey at Berlinale

As “PEPE” graces the screens of the 74th Berlinale, Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias reflected on the significance of showcasing his film to a global audience.
Through “PEPE”, he invites audiences on a profound journey that challenges perceptions, ignites the imagination, and underscores the transformative potential of storytelling in shaping cultural narratives and political futures.

“PEPE” is a testament to Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias‘s boundless creativity and visionary storytelling. “PEPE” is a mesmerizing experience at the 74th Berlinale that won’t be forgotten.

Plot

A voice that claims to be from a hippopotamus. A voice that does not understand the structural perception of time. A voice that from a trance, goes across the languages of a his- torical event. “Is that my sound that comes out of my mouth?” Or specifically, what is a mouth?” The only thing he knows for sure is that he is dead. The first and last hippopotamus killed in the Americas.
Between encounters and misunderstandings, epiphanies and sadness, we arrive to a world full of stories replete of more stories; images and sounds that narrate, in a serious, playful, authentic and false way, the overwhelming orality of these towns that, like Pepe, were made up of beings who died with-out ever knowing where they really were.