Enrique Gato: “When I saw ‘The Day of the Beast’, I remember it changed the way I saw Madrid”

Like all computer geniuses, he has a shy smile and a broad and orderly speech about what his job entails: that of a graphic animator with all that that implies. Basically, he is a seated god, and algorithms give numbers to a universe based on looks, on textures. In the art of counting… His work is based on a lot of patience and know-how. He knows that in Madrid, but also almost everywhere in the world, his job is being created and advances from second to second. And the evolution is clear: from his beginnings in a video game company in 1994 to 2005, the short animated adventures of his Tadeo Jones devote him to the idea that this Chicago archaeologist with Spanish features could give an entire film. And to a saga. In the art of animation, as in literature, it is about “a man, a passion and a landscape”. This is what Miguel Delibes said, and if computers allow it, his Tadeo obeys the narrative trilogy of his compatriot. He has seen films, but an itch of shame leads him to speak, with all diplomacy, of the cinematheque that, more or less fortunately. he had Madrid as a backdrop or as a protagonist. Now living in Alcalá de Henares, although he works in the capital, his Madrid is that of the Retiro, that of the mountains, but in the eyes of a man of cinema are the scenes of that decadent Madrid in which Álex de la Iglesia filmed ‘El día de la Bête’; also, and for other reasons, ‘Barrio’, by Fernando León de Aranoa. In this film, she sees all the possible coincidences between the places and the reality of her adolescence in The Muses, today The Roses. Related News Standard SETTLER Yes Helena Bianco: “I have experienced the triumph. And it is because Madrid opens the doors” Jesús Nieto Jurado Reference of the first Spanish pop, he reluctantly sees the new foreign rhythms that are settling in the city Time has passed at a dizzying speed in his work. Thus, in this moment of interconnection, I can now shoot a film in Madrid without having to resort to the worn-out “Hollywood” sets of New York or Los Angeles. Neither Madrid nor the cities of the great world knew what computer animation would lead to. What is clear is that, despite this speed, in Madrid and the rest of Spain, it is considered a serious and solvent industry.madrid_dia_0703—Almost all life in Madrid. And his last name is Gato. That should leave a mark. —Hehehehe. Everyone tells me, even though I was born in Valladolid, that I am the quintessential Madrid native. Also, in our industry, when we started, everyone gave each other nicknames. And I, of course, was El Gato. — If we start in cinema, I am already flying, could you give me a film that reflects the city well? — Ugh, I could tell you about films set in the city. I have my doubts. I loved “Barrio” because of the way it showed the life of the neighborhood. But it would be difficult for me to decide: there has always been the North American vision of New York, of Los Angeles. To answer your question, when I saw “The Day of the Beast” by Álex de la Iglesia, I remember that it changed the way I saw Madrid. It was like saying “oh man, I had never seen Madrid like that in my life”. — Does the city inspire cinema? Is that the case in your case? What place inspires you the most?—Buff. I would say El Retiro. It is exactly the opposite of my own stories in Las Musas, Las Rosas, which is my neighborhood. I have made other types of cinema, but to place myself in a cinema that has had meaning in my life, with my origins, I would put myself in my neighborhood. Tell what happens.—And if I asked you for a short animated film?—I would go to the mountains of Madrid to tell things.—Madriles, yes, but how were your beginnings in your profession, in your art?—In our profession, there was a problem when we started: everything was still to be created. And of course, if there was a region where all this could take shape, it would be Madrid. But it was something we did not see coming. It should be noted that I was studying computer science, and on the poster of an association I was part of, I found a job offer that I accepted to develop video games. — Man, there is a logical step. — In 94, everything was still to be invented. The first film created by computer was “Toy Story”. That’s when I decided how to focus and position myself in this profession. But the first opportunity came from video games. — If they call it the Disney of Madrid, it makes you smile… — (Laughs). I don’t realize it, but it’s true that they associate me with a lot of things. But it’s scandalous if someone thinks of me in those terms. They associate us a lot with having given our face to Spanish animation. But before Tadeo, there were a few. That they really opened the gap. We delivered the final blow so that people would know that Spanish animation is something unique. And that we are very good. —What does Madrid mean for animation?—The best studios in the country have concentrated in Madrid. Even more than in Barcelona.MORE INFORMATION news Si Mateo Franco: “Watching ‘Los ilusos’, by Jonás Trueba, brought me back from New York to Madrid” news Si Bruno Squarcia, former actor of ‘Al Leaving Class’: “Spiritually, Madrid is a place where, when you arrive, you realize that you have been there before.” It is time to “animate” these streets. —A city like Madrid offers the possibility of creating suspense, drama, of any kind. I would love to shoot a film here. At the time when we are internationalizing, I know that a film could be set in Madrid. – Has Madrid developed at the same time as your profession? – It is difficult to answer that. In this profession, you always notice that everything is new. Another thing is that Madrid understands better and better what we do. It was very difficult for us to explain why it took us four years to make a film. The Administrations now see that we are a serious and solvent industry.

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