We had the good fortune of connecting with Marinthia Gutierrez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marinthia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For me, making art is a necessity. It came so naturally for me to pursue this path because I think I’ve always known that the arts were for me. If I said I couldn’t be doing anything else than film, I would be lying, because if the necessity arose I would be doing something else to keep me afloat— and as a matter of fact, I am doing so many things to get me through— and I’m also privileged enough to keep going with my artistic pursuits.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’d like to share that my upcoming short, “Ella se queda” (She stays) is coming soon. It’s a story about a young woman in Tijuana, Mexico, who throughout a night out in downtown, she waits to be initiated into a coven of vampire dancers. The story is a metaphor for transformation, and to my own path to fulfill my destiny. Like the short’s main character, I felt that I got to a point in my life back home in which I knew I had to leave, and felt that I was just waiting for the moment to arrive. The story is about the feeling that you get when your heart is in a place but your mind is already somewhere else. It’s about mourning your past life and taking a leap of faith for the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To eat, I would take them first to Just What I Kneaded! It’s my favorite cafe in town. Also to Monty’s Good Burger, Cena Tacos, Joy on York, Araya Thai, and Canter’s.

To visit, I would take them to my favorite place in town, the New Beverly theater!!! So the New Beverly to start, American Cinematheque, the Chinese Grauman theater, Whammy’s. I love Bob Baker Marionette Theater so I would take them to a puppet show. The Academy Theater is great, I would take them there as well and for drinks at their bar, Fanny’s. I also love the Huntington Gardens!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am forever in debt to the repertoire/independent film theaters and organizations that keep nurturing my love for film. The New Beverly cinema is my second home— I’m there almost once a week, if not more. I am also a member of the American Cinematheque and go there very often. Also, Whammy! Analog Media has been super supportive in my journey as a filmmaker. They’ve let me host fundraising parties twice at their space in order to make my short film, “Ella se queda”. It’s the coolest VHS store located in Silverlake!

Website: marinthiagutierrez.com

Instagram: @marinthiagutierrez

Other: vimeo.com/marinthia

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