Juan Lebrón recounts his cinematic journey and ties to Cinema Paradiso

Juan Lebrón says director Giuseppe Tornatore drew inspiration from his own life for the classic film *Cinema Paradiso*. He notes that his father worked as an operator at the Torcal cinema in Antequera and the Salón Rodas, which burned down in a fire he remembered from age four.

Lebrón describes his early career, working as a camera assistant in the United States and other Anglo‑Saxon countries, and criticises the lack of apprenticeship opportunities in Spain. He recalls collaborating with naturalist Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, his involvement in the TV series *Verano Azul*, and producing the folk‑music shows *Sevillanas* and *Flamenco* after promising guitarist Paco de Lucía and the flamenco guitarist Sabicas in a New York restaurant. He adds that moving to New York made him appreciate the importance of flamenco.

The interview highlights Lebrón’s reflections on his personal history, the challenges of the Spanish film industry, and his contributions to Spanish cultural productions.