Meet Fabian Palacios V. | Film director & writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fabian Palacios V. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fabian, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a fundamental element of filmmaking; no film that didn’t take any risks exists. The risks come in different forms, whether it starts in the writing process with the subject the film is about, the risks the shooting demands when crafting the film, or even the exhibition itself can be a considerable risk. However, the risks are the fuel for filmmaking, too. It is the excitement that pushes you to create and to go for it. If there isn’t any rush in what you make that makes you doubt what you’re doing, then it isn’t worth exploring. Film is a beautiful art form for exploring internal issues, social and moral problems, and, more than anything else, emotions; so naturally, when you present the audience with questions, you are taking a huge risk by doing so. The outcome of the risks you take is what filmmaking is all about. Regardless of whether the response is positive or negative, you always learn something from that experience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What I like about my story and who I am is the three cultures I grew up with. I love being Mexican and try to portray this in every film I make. However, I went to the German School from kindergarten til High School. Growing up with the Mexican-German culture opened my eyes and made me understand cultures and people who are so different from each other. After this, I went to college in the United States, again exposing myself to a different thinking. So, I have three approaches to every film or artwork I make, making it a little more universal to all or a little more personal to a few. Even though it sounds fantastic growing up in different countries, it also has some negative aspects. Since I moved around a lot, I lacked key people to collaborate with or, instead, to submerge me into the film industry, making me feel alone in my journey. That is one aspect that has resonated in me, but that also has pushed me to go out there and seek and connect with new people. Starting a career in a business that involves connections, friends, and acquaintances takes a lot of work. It is essential to set goals as an artist, but even more importantly, to achieve these goals, you must work, almost as if your dreams depended on that. You must stay active and work hard to keep your vision alive. This is a lesson that I learned, or I’m still learning, that other artists may agree with.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in New York. I love the city, and it is one of the few places constantly changing and evolving with time, conserving its essence nonetheless. I live in the East Village, and it is a beautiful chaos. One of my favorite restaurants is “Cafe Mogador” on St. Marks Street, a lovely Moroccan Cafe with fantastic food. It is a great place to have breakfast, have some coffee, work, enjoy the place, and observe all the great people who come in. To have a drink, I’d take my friends to “Sophie’s,” a small bar on 5th Street with a great atmosphere. This place has a pool table, a jukebox, and a TV where they always play movies. It is a great place to drink and enjoy a lovely evening. I like to take the people who visit me to Dashwood Bookstore on Bond Street, where they sell unique art books. Another place I like to go is “Elizabeth Garden” on Elizabeth Street in Nolita. This garden has mesmerizing Greek sculptures, and it’s just a lovely place to be. A trip to the movies is something we have to do, so depending on the movies they have playing, the Film Forum, The Metrograph, and the Village East are my favorite movie theatres.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents are the first people that come to mind whom I am forever thankful for for their support and love. Deciding to pursue art in any form as a career is never easy. There is a lot of uncertainty when you choose to go for art as a career; for that first step, you need a lot of support and love. The people who encouraged me to do it and showed me unconditional love were my parents, Homero and Roxana. Secondly, I want to acknowledge and thank my beautiful friends Shavier, Liam, and Mark, who always heard me tell the same endless stories with great detail over and over again. Music is a huge part of who I am and my most significant source of inspiration. The incredible emotions that boost the stories come from music, so a big shoutout to some of my favorite artists: Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Radiohead.

Website: https://vimeo.com/user115411807

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabianpalacios_/

Image Credits
Natalia Jacott