Tony Andújar Sanchez
Tony Andújar Sanchez He was born on May 3, 1979 in Barcelona. He is the son of Catalan merchants. His childhood and primary and secondary education take place in Sabadell. At the age of 15, he shows a special interest in film inherited from his father, which becomes a passion that ultimately materializes in the purchase of an old Super 8 M / M camera, with which he makes his first work. Son of the video era, he quickly replaces the old Super 8 film camera with a new and flamboyant Sony High Video, in which he begins to reflect his fanaticism in his first short films and home videos.
At the age of 21, advised by his family, he began studies in Business Administration, moving away from his dream of being a filmmaker.
At the age of 23, he enrolled in university to study Systems Engineering. During the first year of his studies, Toni and two of his classmates presented an Internet portal that ended up becoming a prolific service company, managing the exchange of data between teachers and parents of public schools. This project was recognized with a State prize for the best youth business project.
In the following years, he consolidated himself as a businessman, employing more than 70 workers.
After creating two subsidiary companies at the age of 30, he decided to recover his long-awaited dream of becoming a filmmaker and embarked on a new path, leaving behind the life of a businessman and returning to the life of a student. He enrolled in the CECC (Centre for Cinematographic Studies of Catalonia), thus beginning his stage as a film student.
Three years later, he graduated.
His first steps as a filmmaker focused on writing screenplays and making short films and music videos. In 2019, he co-founded, with his wife Carolina Garrido, the production company Esdemangofilms, starting from the idea of developing their own screenplays and films with a clear commercial and international orientation. The first important project they decide to debut in 2022 is Run Baby Run, in which Toni serves as producer, writer, and director.
At the age of 21, advised by his family, he began studies in Business Administration, moving away from his dream of being a filmmaker.
At the age of 23, he enrolled in university to study Systems Engineering. During the first year of his studies, Toni and two of his classmates presented an Internet portal that ended up becoming a prolific service company, managing the exchange of data between teachers and parents of public schools. This project was recognized with a State prize for the best youth business project.
In the following years, he consolidated himself as a businessman, employing more than 70 workers.
After creating two subsidiary companies at the age of 30, he decided to recover his long-awaited dream of becoming a filmmaker and embarked on a new path, leaving behind the life of a businessman and returning to the life of a student. He enrolled in the CECC (Centre for Cinematographic Studies of Catalonia), thus beginning his stage as a film student.
Three years later, he graduated.
His first steps as a filmmaker focused on writing screenplays and making short films and music videos. In 2019, he co-founded, with his wife Carolina Garrido, the production company Esdemangofilms, starting from the idea of developing their own screenplays and films with a clear commercial and international orientation. The first important project they decide to debut in 2022 is Run Baby Run, in which Toni serves as producer, writer, and director.
Your project has entered in our festival. What is your project about?
It's about overcoming challenges, preparation, and the genuine inability we have to foresee when we'll have a bad day. The protagonist, Diana, is a young woman with hearing impairment. This could mean, this poses a social and survival disadvantage, but her tireless and fighting character almost makes her lack of hearing invisible.
What starts as a tranquil day of running in a natural park turns into a surreal race for survival that will test all her abilities.
Diana will embark on the hero's journey, leaving her ordinary world behind to venture into the unknown, filled with strange events.
What are your ambitions with your project?
This is my first feature film, so my initial ambition was to narrate the story with maximum dynamism without falling into clichés or relying solely on special effects. Perhaps my main ambition now is to establish a strong connection with the audience while advocating for a narrative and genre/style fusion that feels more immersive and natural.
Tell us something about your shooting? What pleasantly surprised you?
It was a tough shoot, as most of them are! We spent two and a half months filming in the mountains of Aragon. "Run Baby Run" is a small film with a very humble budget, which constantly challenged all members of the team. We had to turn our limitations into advantages. The best part of the shoot was undoubtedly the attitude and sacrifice of the team, especially the production crew, tirelessly attending to everything the film demanded despite significant financial constraints.
For what group of spectators is your film targeted?
"Run Baby Run" is a film for young audiences—it's a fable, a tale that speaks about overcoming challenges and self-esteem. In essence, it's a film that can appeal to a broad range of viewers. At its core, it's an action thriller, eager to please and connect with any audience member looking to have a good time.
Why should distributors buy your film?
Because the theme of overcoming and preparing for adversities is universal and appeals to everyone.
Because it's a film that fights minute by minute to maintain a fresh narrative, original action, and maintains an attractive visual approach.
How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?
I believe that intrigue and surprise are the main characteristics of the film.
Why did you decided to become a filmmaker?
I suppose for the same reason as all filmmakers—I love telling stories.
When I was 14, my father gave me videos with documentaries about Buster Keaton and Charles Chaplin. Watching those men from another era making and producing their films made them seem like heroes from another dimension.
Now that I'm older, I've come to the conclusion that being a filmmaker is an attitude that, at worst, can lead you to the sweetest of failures.
Who is your role model?
Well, I don't have just one; I think there are many directors who influence me. Perhaps Richard Donner, William Friedkin, John Frankenheimer, Michael Mann, John McTiernan, Spielberg, or more recent ones like Denis Villeneuve or Christopher Nolan.
Which movies are your favorites? Why?
It's always hard to pick favorite films. Any film, regardless of genre, that has enough intention and emotion captivates me.
That being said, I never get tired of watching Buster Keaton's "The General," "2001: A Space Odyssey," "ET," and more recently, "Inception" or any film by Denis Villeneuve or Michael Mann. Of course, there are many more I won't mention because the list is quite long.
In short, I love to see the mastery of the times that some directors have, almost touched by a magic wand.
Where do you look for inspiration for your films?
In music, books, other films, and sometimes in my dreams or personal experiences.
Which topics interest you the most?
Generally, I like to explore the reward of effort and attempt to convey messages where those who try receive some form of reward, be it moral, personal, or simply material. I think, ultimately, any theme can interest me as long as it's not treated frivolously.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?
Well, this is the beginning of my career as a director, so I think it's a bit premature to talk about my greatest achievement.
What do you consider most important about filming?
I believe that having a talented and strong team that can carry a project through to the end is the most important aspect.
Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?
Generally I love a clean and careful image, preferably fixed and angular shots. I like to work with cinematographers who work with chiaroscuro from the base, without having to abuse the color correction.
I love the tripod, and the classic movements, I think they allow you to work in a more cinematographic language that I understand more. However in this last decade cinema and camera movements have merged with video games and I find it hard to connect with so much unnecessary movement. Honestly, I think it's interesting to experiment with everything, as long as it's at the service of the narrative.
How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?
I believe that more films are being produced than ever, and that's a good thing. However, perhaps I miss a cinema that remains more true to the cinema screen and less television-oriented. I think we are turning films into products that are too standardized and predictable.
What can disappoint you in a movie?
There are many things that can disappoint me, and many things I can forgive. I believe the most important aspect is the connection with the story and the characters. If a film makes you feel enough, you won't dwell on the means by which it was made... Without that connection, I'm disappointed.
Who supports you in your film career?
Primarily, my family, especially my wife and son, who make me feel like a great director even when I show them a family film where they are the protagonists.
And of course, in capital letters, all the executive producers who have provided the funding to bring this project to life.
What are the reactions to your film? (opinion of spectators, film critics, friends and family)
It hasn't left anyone indifferent, and the feedback from friends and family has always been excellent. The film is just starting its journey, so I'm looking forward to seeing what others think.
Have you already visited any of the prestigious film festivals?
We are just starting our festival journey, and being at your festival is already a prestigious visit. I will let you know how it goes in the future.
What are your future plans in filmmaking carriere?
To make more films and share more stories at your next festival.