Iñárritu Celebrates 25 Years of ‘Amores Perros’ and Teases Wild Comedy with Tom Cruise!

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Alejandro G. Iñárritu has always been skilled at making a strong impression. This week, the four-time Oscar winner graced the Croisette not by premiering a new film, but by honoring the gritty and dynamic movie “Amores Perros,” which ignited his career 25 years ago.

On Tuesday evening in Cannes, the 25th anniversary showing of the Mexico City-based trilogy took place, with director Alejandro Iñárritu present after completing his latest work – a “harshly humorous” film featuring Tom Cruise and Sandra Hüller, which was filmed in London recently. The occasion wasn’t simply a reflection on the past but more of a revival. A fresh re-release of Amores Perros is planned for later this year, accompanied by an interactive museum exhibit, a behind-the-scenes book, and naturally, tales from the director about how the film was almost never made at all.

25 years ago, when Iñárritu was in Cannes with Amores Perros, he shared that movie production in Mexico at the time was quite different. Approximately seven movies were made each year, and there wasn’t a well-established national cinema. For filmmakers like him, making one film was often their only opportunity to express themselves. He invested all his emotions – contradictions, anger, love, and the chaotic energy of Mexico City – into that film, which is why it feels so raw and vibrant.

Produced on an economical budget of $2 million through private funding by Altavista Films, which was unusual in late-’90s Mexico as most films were still government-aided, Amores Perros was personally edited by its director over several demanding months within his own home. Featuring the breakout role of Gael García Bernal, the film intertwines three narratives bound by a traumatic car accident, with each tale revolving around characters dealing with love, grief, and the harsh realities of Mexico City’s gritty underworld.

In one instance, an intense dogfight beneath the city streets was strikingly authentic. While no animals were injured, the team behind the scenes came dangerously close to being in trouble themselves.

In one of Mexico City’s most impoverished neighborhoods, teeming with gang activity, we were filming. One day, while on a phone call with Carlos Cuarón, the brother of Alfonso, I felt a gun pressed against my skull. I turned around to see our cinematographer also held at gunpoint. They had robbed us, taking all our gear and valuables including my watch, money, and a sentimental medallion. However, the location was ideal, so we went back and negotiated with them. We offered, ‘If you let us shoot, you can be in the movie.’ And that scene? It features those same robbers. I asked about the medallion later, but they told me they had already sold everything.

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu submitted the film “Amores Perros” to the Cannes Film Festival, but it was initially turned down by the festival’s Latin America programmer due to its length and violent content. Iñárritu remembers pleading with them to present it to the main committee, but they refused. At that time, only American and European films were showcased in the main competition, while Latin American films were relegated to a side category called “World Cinema.

In the end, the movie was shown at the sidelines of Cannes Critics’ Week. Unfortunately, the initial showing didn’t receive a positive response.

In his reflection, Iñárritu expressed, “It appeared as though everyone was leaving, and in that moment, I felt: ‘That’s it. It’s all over.’ However, I later learned that those departing were international distributors, informing their teams to acquire the film.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement when reflecting on my journey with “Amores Perros.” This groundbreaking film took home the Critics’ Week award, and Lionsgate swiftly grabbed U.S. rights, propelling it onto the global stage. The movie went on to rake in over $5 million domestically and an impressive $20 million worldwide.

But the real magic happened when it was nominated for an Oscar for best international feature. This recognition catapulted the director’s career and signaled the birth of the Mexican New Wave – a movement that soon attracted luminaries like Alfonso Cuarón (of “Y Tu Mamá También” fame) and Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”). Together, we paved the way for Mexican cinema to break into the global mainstream.

In the words of the director, Iñárritu, “Suddenly, we were not just outside observers, but we were in conversation with the world.” It’s a feeling I know all too well as a gamer – the exhilaration that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves.

Director Alejandro Iñárritu has grand designs to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of “Amores Perros.” Following its screening at Cannes, he is organizing an elaborate visual installation that will be displayed first at Fondazione Prada in Milan (September 18-February 26) and later at LagoAlgo in Mexico City (October 5-January 3, 2026), with a planned exhibition in Los Angeles as well.

Iñárritu has curated the video installation using unused footage and outtakes from the “1 million feet of celluloid” he filmed for the original production. “When I edited my film, it was 2 hours and 45 minutes, and that accounted for 16,500 feet. The remaining 985,000 feet were stored at the National University of Mexico, like aged wine,” said Iñárritu.

Later this year, MACK Books will publish a book detailing the making of the film, complete with stills, scripts, behind-the-scenes stories, and essays penned by collaborators.

The movie will be having a full theatrical rerelease, set to commence towards the end of this year. This way, younger audiences can experience it on the grand cinema screen instead of just viewing it on their phones, as Iñárritu pointed out, gesturing towards his device.

Director Alejandro Iñárritu utilized his time at Cannes to introduce his upcoming ambitious project, a collaboration with Tom Cruise, tentatively named “Judy.” This film recently completed production in London, marking the first time these two talents have worked together.

Iñárritu describes the movie as an outrageous, chaotic comedy of epic destruction. It’s unconventional, it’s frightening yet amusing, and it’s breathtakingly beautiful. People might not expect a comedy from me or Tom, and making this film was nerve-wracking for me. However, I prefer not to replicate my work, and each movie should push boundaries a little. For me, Birdman was a dark comedy, and this one is just as challenging. Plus, Tom always makes me laugh with his unbridled dedication and madness,” says Iñárritu.

Actress Sandra Hüller, who was nominated for an Oscar in ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, is joining forces with the likes of Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Emma D’Arcy, Sophie Wilde, Michael Stuhlbarg, and John Goodman in the cast of the movie titled ‘July’.

Ever since seeing her in ‘Toni Erdmann’ [in 2017], Sandra has held a special place in Iñárritu’s heart. He first encountered her during the Cannes Film Festival that year, and he’s been eager to collaborate with her ever since.

Judy recently completed filming at London’s Pinewood Studios, and Alejandro Iñárritu has announced that he will start editing the film next week. The movie featuring Judy is scheduled to be released in theaters by Warner Bros. this coming autumn.

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2025-05-21 16:55