The actor who steps on feet but conquers Sundance
Alberto Guerra is at the most important independent film festival in America, Sundance. And he has a little problem: his character in the movie “Ha-chan, shake your booty!” is a dance teacher.
“There is a misconception that Cubans always dance well and have rhythm, but I am living proof that we don’t,” he says jokingly on the phone.
The irony is not small. The Cuban-Mexican actor plays a teacher who helps the protagonist (Rinko Kikuchi) overcome a bad moment… through dance. Filmed in Japan, the film competes in the US Dramatic section.
Two months of training and ‘movie magic’
How does a self-proclaimed ‘anti-dancer’ achieve such a role? Guerra explains it with characteristic humor.
“The character dances like hell, when my wife (Zuria Vega) saw the movie she said I wasn’t the one, because I always step on her,” he comments with amusement.
“Here it is achieved thanks to the magic of cinema (laughs) and spending two months in Japan for classes, training, to learn something.”
It was a direct invitation from director Josef Kubota, with whom he connected while working on Griselda. Guerra spent four months filming in Japan, an experience he describes as “wonderful” but also a culture shock.
“In Japan I suddenly became aware that what I needed was a hug. In Mexico we are used to greeting and hugging, giving kisses, laughing and patting the head, something that doesn’t happen there.”
Something key about the film stands out: it presents Latin characters far from the crudest cinematographic stereotypes. “They are good here,” he points out.
From actor to director (and he didn’t like it)
While promoting this Japanese comedy-drama, Guerra has just debuted as a director in the group’s bioseries Timbiriche, currently in post-production. His assessment is typically ironic.
“I rate it as the worst job I’ve ever done because directing is a piece of shit,” he says with good humor.
He clarifies that he already had “the seed” of directing and hopes to continue growing in that role. He is also an actor and executive producer of the series, the details of which are still under wraps.
And between projects, he announces an upcoming collaboration as the image of a brand… with Madonna. Not bad.
For now, “Ha-chan!” does not have a release date in Mexico. Fans will have to wait to see the Cuban who confesses to stepping on feet become, through cinematic magic and a lot of training, a dance teacher.
