In a captivating interview, Eugenio Derbez delves into the making of the movie Radical, sharing insights about its inception and thematic focus. Derbez recounts how a 2012 news story about a young Mexican girl dubbed the next Steve Jobs sparked his interest, leading to the development of Radical. He emphasizes his connection to the story and his commitment to portraying uplifting narratives from Mexico [00:03-02:13].
The interview then shifts to the educational themes in Radical, highlighting the importance of teaching children to think critically. Derbez praises the real-life teacher’s approach of stimulating curiosity in students rather than relying solely on rote memorization. He reflects on the role of curiosity in education and discusses the real teacher’s improvisational teaching methods [02:56-04:43].
“…reflects on the role of curiosity in education and discusses the real teacher’s improvisational teaching methods.”
Later, Derbez talks about his approach to portraying a real-life person in the film. He emphasizes capturing the character’s essence and energy rather than doing a direct impersonation. Derbez explains the authenticity of the portrayal, mentioning his consultations with the real teacher to ensure an accurate representation of his teaching methods and interactions with students [04:58-06:23].
Finally, the conversation turns to the transition from comedy to drama in acting. Derbez, known primarily for his comedic roles, discusses the differences and challenges of both genres. He points out how comedy is often undervalued compared to drama in the entertainment industry and shares personal insights into the emotional depth and empathy inherent in comedy. The interview concludes with Derbez reflecting on the underlying pain and sadness often found in comedians, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities of comedic performance [07:49-11:49].