Navigating Waters: How ‘Shut Up & Fish’ Anchors Itself in Youth, Culture, and Black & White Cinema Image

Navigating Waters: How ‘Shut Up & Fish’ Anchors Itself in Youth, Culture, and Black & White Cinema

By Alan Ng | February 8, 2024

I had the privilege to interview directors Raul Sanchez and Pasal Gutierrez, discussing their film Shut Up & Fish. They share their experiences from the HollyShorts Film Festival, where their film received an honorable mention. They discuss their transition from music videos and commercials to narrative filmmaking, highlighting Shut Up & Fish as their first narrative project together. The film is described as a Coming of Age story about a young boy deciding whether to fit in with a group of friends during a long afternoon on a boat. The directors delve into their background, the development process of the film, the significance of the Edgar haircut within the Latino community, and the decision to shoot the film in black and white. They also touch on the challenges of shooting on a boat, funding the film, and their plans for distributing it after the festival circuit. The interview encapsulates the creative process, cultural themes, and practical aspects of indie filmmaking.

Key moments include:

  • Introduction and festival experience [0:02-0:49].
  • Background and evolution of their filmmaking duo, Cliqua[1:03-4:57].
  • The inception and development of Shut Up & Fish [6:29-8:00].
  • The casting process, funding, and production challenges [8:02-10:59].
  • The decision to film in black and white and its impact [12:08-17:01].
  • The universal themes and cultural significance of the film [18:21-22:59].

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