The FADER: What is your background and creative journey? How did you get into directing?
Nicolás Méndez: I grew up in a house led by creativity. So, no surprise there. There was a lot of interest in literature, cinema, art, and food. My parents and both of my brothers have creative careers.
I studied art history [in school]but ended up writing scripts for TV during my second year. I wrote for a few years before trying to direct my own projects. Around the same time, a friend, who owned an independent record label in Madrid called Siesta, gave me money to make a music video for one of the label’s bands. Then I did another one, and another… and after a couple of years, a production company from Barcelona signed me to do commercials.
How would you describe your visual language as a director?
My inspiration comes from people in general and what happens to us. The stories that surround us. That’s where writing comes from. I like creating characters and exploring them. These small stories could be enlightening, uncomfortable, or edgy. But in this business, being edgy and specific is not always the easiest, and there’s a tendency to hide meanings.
I feel I’m constantly asked to be less specific so there’s less risk of misunderstanding. There’s a tendency [in the industry] to create generic worlds. Fighting against it is difficult, and I’m not a good fighter. I need confidence around me to bring out the best of me, and I find that very rarely. What I find is mostly fear.
How would you describe working with Rosalía?
I feel so lucky that she likes working with us because she’s brave and honest. Although she wants to appeal to a broad audience, she isn’t afraid of who she is, where she comes from, and what she likes. She is religious, and she is from Spain, so that goes into the mix. It’s wonderful having a platform to explain yourself without fear.
