Few films have been able to beautifully weave history, culture and humanity. Ross Frikisthe story that sheds light on the subculture of Cuban punk in the 1990s, and the fundamental sacrifice of a group of individuals who injected HIV as a means of regaining the autonomy of society that seeks to suppress their identity. Mike and director Tyler Greene Ross Frikis It is a deeply moving film that captures the raw spirit of rebellion, brotherhood, and survival against odds.
This exclusive interview allowed me to talk to the talented lead of the film. Hector Medina (Viva, Sergio and Sergei) And a newcomer Eros de la Puentethe portrayal of two brothers navigating the turbulent cultural and emotional landscapes has been widely praised. Bringing abundant experience and strength to his role, Medina reflects the way Cuban punk music, costumes and rebellious spirit shaped his character and conveyed his performance. Meanwhile, de la Puente’s feature film debut reveals the challenges and victory of plunging into a role that is highly emotionally recharged and deeply rooted in historical contexts.
From their connections to subject matter connections to behind-the-scenes magic that brought pivotal moments back to life, Hector and Ero offer a fascinating glimpse into Ross Frikis. This is an interview where we delve into their creative journey, the power of punk, and the deep emotional moments that define this extraordinary film.
Stills from “Ross Frikiss” (Photo credit: Lord Miller)
Aayush Sharma: Congratulations to our team on the success of “Los Frikis.” It’s a very beautiful and heartbreaking story. My first question, Eros, is about your character idolizing his brother Paco, but taking a complicated emotional journey throughout the film. As the first actor working on his debut film, how did you portray the character’s evolving perception of his brothers throughout the story?
Eros de la Puente: I think it was very present that allowed me to prepare. Even if I wasn’t acting at the moment, even if I didn’t have that scene, I just knew if I was watching my brother’s scene or what he was doing. , you know. I would likely be like his younger brother. Because I am serving this guy and I am following this guy. So I think it was a big step, not as a character like Gustavo or Paco, but because he was like a brother to my older actor, I think everything was beautifully planned. He was far more experienced than I did and he was this guy leading me through the journey. So we’ve been there. I did exactly the same thing that happened in the film outside of the film. I think it’s a process that is like trying to become a pako in a strange way or find yourself through pako. It just happened as a by-product of our amazing relationship. We seem to be the other two.
Aayush Sharma: Hector, Punk’s subculture plays an important role in shaping the identity of the character. How did punk’s music, costumes and cultural elements influence and inform him of his portrayal?
Hector Medina: Well, the rock and roll spirit has helped me a lot. In other words, I am always looking for freedom. Cuban tropical punk, special bands. In other words, getting a punk in Cuba at the time was really tough. And those people were so brave. Brave. In Cuba, listening to American music was prohibited at that moment. It was prohibited to have long hair. Different ways of thinking were prohibited. So that spirit from the tropical punks of Cuba gave me a lot of inspiration. I’m just being forced to do me. After a while, you become angry, hungry, and wild. These are two things that help me a lot.
Hector Medina as Paco in “Los Frikis” (Photo credit: Lord Miller)
Aayush Sharma: Hector, you were born in the late 1980s. This story is set in the 1990s. In other words, they grew up in real life when these events were unfolding in Cuba. While growing up, have you heard about lost freakies and people who injected HIV? Also, did your perception of these individuals change while working on this film?
Hector Medina: Yes, yes. I was born in 1989. I remember when I first saw the frailty I was like 5 or 6 years old. My aunt told me. Don’t look at him. “Yeah, DD, people, and crazy people. But I was very interested in this and these people were very different in communist countries, tropical countries. Imagine that. Its appearance was very different. Long hair, the clothes they wore. It was very different to seeing electric guitars and sounds for the first time. And in 13 years, I met Kherson, who is now alive. I think he is the last freaky, the last, the only people living, the only people HIV injectedWho is alive? And I met him at that time, and he was very kind, very kind and always kept his job, I was going to this place where they only put rock and roll music So it’s like a paradise in the middle of my town. It was a different culture, a different person. In other words, I fell in love with those people and helped with this story.
Aayush Sharma: Eros, this is his first film as an actor. You were working on a short film the other day. Well, you’re in this incredible film. If people don’t know, it was nominated for six awards at the Latin Entertainment Film Awards. As an actor working on your first feature film, what was your experience?
Eros de la Puente: I’ve become used to all these new things, so it was very difficult at first. And when I got to know my character, I had to be very prepared. Before that, I was playing theatre where everything happens in turn, but in the film I was shot from the order. So I needed to know exactly where my character was at every point in the film. It was definitely a challenge. But once I had all that knowledge and was fully prepared, when I got on the set it felt like the best thing I’d ever had. My knowledge and research came across Hector’s research and all the other studies, and it all came together. We created this magic as a set. All the fears have disappeared. I wasn’t thinking about it anymore. I was present in that moment, reacting to Hector, reacting to Adria, reacting to every little thing on the set. In the end it became very easy.
Eros de la Puente and Eidoria Arjona show stills from “Los Frikis” (Photo credit: Lord Miller)
Aayush Sharma: The final scene in which your character tells your brother that he doesn’t have AIDS is very powerful. The friendship and deep bond you see between you two in that moment are truly moving. Can you take that scene? How did you approach it, and what were the emotions you felt when you were in the dialogue and filming the scene?
Hector Medina: Ah, I love that scene Ross Frikis. And that scene was my cast. Ah, when I did that scene, the next day director Mike and Tyler called me and said, “You got a job.” And the scene had all the emotions from the first day of the film for that day. We built the characters together, and having that scene with Mike and Tyler was a great experience. They wanted to reach a point where I could cry and laugh. It was the final scene, so we had to make a great final scene. And we had to make sure it worked. We did well and I was very happy that day.
Eros de la Puente: I think we did well. And I remember that day. It was a very stressful but beautiful day as I had this beautiful moment before filming the scene. We were talking together – no, not really talking, I am correcting myself – sitting with each other in silence. Why was I just there? You know, we sat next to each other silently without talking. And we proceeded to set and did the scene. And we felt this strange, invisible thread connecting us. And it was beautiful.
“Ross Frikiss” I’ll come streaming soon.
