Sibylle Hayem

Hello ! I remember the good old time I had made the sound for the 3 films on turn for the Ariel, so I was sure to win !!! The shame is that an Ariel means nothing, as you say, a price just between old pals. The good time of short movie: Mexico was so rich because of the OIL, that we should shoot everything in 35 mm, with this beautiful Arri 35 BL. I remember ways of producing outside the UNION, but you must assure an external market. See how Reygadas had to fight for "Japan" and he just made "Batallas en el cielo" out from IMCINE . I imagine they were mad after him , that movie was on the official selection in Cannes and the people of IMCINE in the film's market did not even go and see it. I think it is outrageous.(I work in Cannes). The problem in Mexico is that the distributor gets all the benifits, you know that better than I do....and there is no good screen writers; Our virtual friend Andrea is now surching in Bollywood. Cheers. Sibylle

Hello Miguel. I worked in Churubusco for so many years !(since 1978 in Corto Metraje !!!) But I have a terrible experience: in 1997 I raised a Phonothèque, I rescued 15oo movies , with all that old 35 mm magnetic machines etc..; you see what I mean , 17,5 mm actually. I was all by myself, I had no support from the movie directors, from IMCINE , just I became very friend with the composers. The studios Churubusco would give me a salary but no computer ! Finally , in 2002 I ran away .That's why I am in France, giving classes and I met Laurent andrieux . We work together. These Fox years are worst than every thing knowned before ...I don't want to be pessimitic but I don't belive in a new wave of productions. Hope to hear from you soon. Sibylle

Hello Miguel, I saw you a couple of time in this forum. I feel we are going to end up this discution the 2 of us ! Que no es problema ! What do you do in Mexico ? you have actually enought work as a cameraman ? or you are in publicity ? Most of my friends (directors) are trying to rise budgets in Europe...Because the situation in Mexico is a disaster, one more time. Funny that we have no more news from Andrea but I just saw she made a hudge posting with the same questions about american industry...in an other forum. Hope to read you. Sibylle

Hola Andrea, sorry it takes me a lng time to answer, but I am really busy and trying to enjoy the Festival in Cannes ! You are putting together too many things that don't mix (I guess !) 1) Mexico has a totaly other politic structure than South Africa. It had a party at the power for 70 years, in 2000 there was an oposition (right wing) that dismissed that party (The PRI) and now that the PAN has won, every thing is worse. A little bit like in France every body had to vote for Chirac instead of the fachiste Le Pen.... This new gobernment opened the country to the free market, the president had only the experience of being the director for Cocacola and is quite proud saying that he has no time to read a book ! So, it is a poor country, always has been but with a brilliant culture that tries to survive , even with the USA so close. It has a very big influence in all Latin America, because this strong culture. The former gobernment was issued of the Mexican revolution and at it start they had hudge projects. For instance the film industry. As an industry. That made more money than petrol.They could produce 185 films a year.But that was because USA was on war.... And Hollywood was not working. It was a time when there was a special crew that came together: Very big stars like Maria Felix, Pedro Almendariz, Dolores del Rio , Pedro Infante , then such a big photographer like Gabriel Figueroa, incredible directors . So to remain together, they created an UNION , nobody could enter the film industry and that was it. This period last until 1976. I startd working in short film department even if we were making long features: no way for me , as a stranger (I am french and mexican) for a sound women to even get closed to that. Well, that'is the end of the first part of a very long story, I hope I am not boring you.... See you, Sibylle

Hola Andrea, sorry it takes me a lng time to answer, but I am really busy and trying to enjoy the Festival in Cannes ! You are putting together too many things that don't mix (I guess !) 1) Mexico has a totaly other politic structure than South Africa. It had a party at the power for 70 years, in 2000 there was an oposition (right wing) that dismissed that party (The PRI) and now that the PAN has won, every thing is worse. A little bit like in France every body had to vote for Chirac instead of the fachiste Le Pen.... This new gobernment opened the country to the free market, the president had only the experience of being the director for Cocacola and is quite proud saying that he has no time to read a book ! So, it is a poor country, always has been but with a brilliant culture that tries to survive , even with the USA so close. It has a very big influence in all Latin America, because this strong culture. The former gobernment was issued of the Mexican revolution and at it start they had hudge projects. For instance the film industry. As an industry. That made more money than petrol.They could produce 185 films a year.But that was because USA was on war.... And Hollywood was not working. It was a time when there was a special crew that came together: Very big stars like Maria Felix, Pedro Almendariz, Dolores del Rio , Pedro Infante , then such a big photographer like Gabriel Figueroa, incredible directors . So to remain together, they created an UNION , nobody could enter the film industry and that was it. This period last until 1976. I startd working in short film department even if we were making long features: no way for me , as a stranger (I am french and mexican) for a sound women to even get closed to that. Well, that'is the end of the first part of a very long story, I hope I am not boring you.... See you, Sibylle

Hello, I just enter this forum and will be very happy to answer you some questions. But , as you touch too many points , I am sorry, I will find the time to answer you propely. I worked in Mexico for 25 years, in and out the industry, in and out independent movies etc... I was the first soundwoman in this country and I opened the space for new generations. I feel that in image, this work has not been done yet... but I don't know really. I am french (and mexican. ). I beleave that the main problem is the crisis in culture , generaly speaking, you know what I mean: NO MONEY ....But young people always overcome that kind of problems with grants from all around . Well, write to you soon. (I am enjoying the Film Festival in Cannes , right now !) Sibylle Hayem

Cris, Don't worry, mexican workers in the movie industrie are really great. Yucatan is a good place to go, you may find some mosquitoes, that's all. Crew from U.S .or anywhere have always better / good acomodations (Union fighting better ?) If you need informations on specific points , maybe I can help you,I worked in Mexico for 20 years.