One of the most remarkable stories of 2024 has been the release of 'Pimpinero: Blood & Oil,' a film directed by Andrés Baiz and starring Colombian singer Juanes. With this project, the 'La Camisa Negra' singer makes his big-screen debut in a movie packed with action and intense emotions.
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, explores the dangerous world of fuel smuggling on the Colombia-Venezuela border.
During a recent event with the Prime Video team in Miami, Juanes shared his experience filming his first movie. He expressed gratitude for his acting coach, Carolina Gómez, who guided him through the preparation process, which he has discussed in previous interviews.
Juanes explained that his journey began by repeatedly reading the script to familiarize himself with the story before working with Gómez to understand the subtext.
"We'd read the lines, and she'd ask me, 'What's the subtext here? Why do you think this is happening? Where do you think this character is coming from?'" Juanes shared. Director Baiz also pushed him to think deeply about his character, asking questions like, "Where were you last night? Where's your daughter? Are you happy or angry?"
One of Juanes's biggest challenges was a scene with no dialogue. Initially, he thought it would be easy, but Gómez explained it would be one of the hardest since everything had to be conveyed through gestures and expressions. She reminded him that his character, Moisés, is stoic and reserved, making subtlety key.
"It was an internal process," Juanes said, explaining how he drew on memories of sadness and anger to deliver the performance.
In addition to Gómez's coaching, Juanes received support from co-stars Alberto Guerra (Griselda), Alejandro Speitzer (Dark Desire, The Club,) and Laura Osma, who offered him advice to better convey his character's emotions.
On set, Juanes faced another new experience: handling firearms. Although safety measures were strict, he admitted to feeling anxious, as he had never held a weapon before.
Filming in La Guajira desert also left a lasting impression. It was his first time visiting the region, and the conditions were grueling, with the team traveling 90 minutes each day from their accommodations to the shooting location.
"We had to travel to the set and then build all the ranches you see in the film. It was hard work, but for me, it was a unique experience. I've toured Colombia singing, but I never imagined doing this," he said.
For Baiz, known for hits like 'Narcos: Mexico' and Griselda, this film marks Juanes's cinematic debut. Although Juanes had auditioned for roles in the past, none resonated with him until this opportunity. The journey began when his wife, Karen 'La Chechi' Martínez, received a call asking if Juanes would be interested in a Baiz project.
"I'd done a few auditions in Los Angeles, but I wasn't really invested. One day, Andy saw a photo of me online and reached out to my wife through Sofia Vergara's manager," Juanes recalled in an interview with CNN.
Both Juanes and Baiz have described Pimpinero: Sangre y Gasolina as a "miracle," given the challenges it faced during its 10-year production journey. On social media, Juanes shared glimpses of the filming process, including the two-hour makeup routine required for his character, which involved adding scars, extensions, and dyeing his hair.
@juanes Les presento a Moisés. PIMPINERO está desde hoy en todas las salas de cine de Colombia🔥#cine #colombia #pimpinero #primevideo #juanes #actor
♬ sonido original - Juanes
Javiera Balmaceda Pascal, Pedro Pascal's older sister and Amazon MGM Studios' head of Originals for Latin America, Canada, and Australia, played a crucial role in bringing the film to Prime Video. The movie will premiere on the streaming platform on November 22.
With a talented Latin American cast and crew, Pimpinero: Sangre y Gasolina is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
Editor Alicia Civita contributed to this article.
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