E2 • The Power of Documentary • SANTIAGO MAZA, dir. of 'State of Silence' at Tribeca + Sheffield DocFest

Marcus speaks with Mexico City filmmaker Santiago Maza, who shares his insights on documentary filmmaking and his inspired appreciation for the doc "Collective". Santiago's latest film "State of Silence", Executive Produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, World Premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 10th and is followed by Sheffield DocFest and Guadalajara International Film Festival June 13th. "State of Silence" highlights the importance of independent journalism in Mexico. The film aims to raise awareness and create change by humanizing the journalists and their stories, who face violence and threats for reporting on issues such as corruption and cartel-related activities. The filmmakers discuss the challenges faced by journalists in their line of work and the power of documentaries to spark change. Short Ends Santiago Maza Stern discusses his love for documentary filmmaking and how he uses cinematic elements within the genre. 'State of Silence' is a documentary that highlights the importance of independent journalism in Mexico and is executive produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal. Santiago emphasizes the significance of allowing stories to unfold naturally and capturing real-world moments in documentary filmmaking. He talks about the process of shaping an idea for a documentary and the importance of finding the right characters and story. Santiago shares his approach to structuring and editing documentaries, using index cards to organize scenes and create a cinematic experience. He discusses the power of observational filmmaking and the use of talking heads as a tool to add layers of information. Santiago draws inspiration from films like 'Collective' and aims to create documentaries that engage the audience and make them active participants in the story. The film 'State of Silence' was initially conceived as a series but was adapted into a feature documentary due to the political risks involved. The film 'State of Silence' highlights the importance of independent journalism in Mexico and the dangers faced by journalists who report on corruption and cartel-related activities. The filmmakers emphasize the power of documentaries to create change by humanizing the journalists and their stories, and by raising awareness about the issues they face. Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal‘s involvement in the project brings attention and support to the cause of independent journalism in Mexico. The filmmakers discuss the challenges faced by journalists, including violence, threats, and the need for greater support and protection from the government and society. The film aims to reach audiences in Mexico, the United States, and Europe, and the filmmakers are actively seeking distribution and partnerships to amplify its impact. Keeping things simple is almost always better, especially in filmmaking. What Movies Are You Watching? Listen to all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more, as well as at www.pastpresentfeature.com. Like, subscribe, and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature The Past Present Feature Film Festival - Nov. 20-22, 2026 in Hollywood, CA - Submit at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature