Diego Luna discusses migration at Rome Film Fest

Mexican actor and director Diego Luna addressed the complexities of migration and the impact of political hostility during the Rome Film Fest. While presenting his new directorial work, ‘Ceniza en la boca’, Luna spoke on the importance of migration in shaping modern societies and criticized the rhetoric surrounding anti-migrant policies.

Luna emphasized that cinema serves as a vital tool to combat ignorance, violence, and hatred. He argued that while statistics provide data, personal stories and intimate narratives are necessary to foster empathy and help people understand the lived experiences of others. He noted that as more people seek better lives elsewhere, the movement of populations will continue to grow.

His film, based on the novel by Brenda Navarro, follows the story of Lucila, a young Mexican woman who moves to Spain with her brother to reunite with their mother. The narrative explores themes of precariousness, discrimination, and the emotional displacement experienced by migrants attempting to integrate into new realities.