Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Valdes.
Hi Joel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, I moved to the US from Mexico at an early age and spent most of my time buried in books. This allowed me to get a grasp of the English language, and the time I spent reading made me fall in love with the craft of storytelling. This became a gateway to my passion to be a writer. As time went on I also became increasingly interested in visual art, and I attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. During this time I honed in on filmmaking because it was the perfect medium to combine all the artforms around me. The collaborative aspect of making films has only become more attractive for me as time has gone on, and I am constantly blown away at the results when multiple talented minds come together. I am now able to constantly collaborate with other artists in the city to create films and share stories.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been pretty smooth overall! Many aspects of my life have not gone according to plan, but the curveballs that get thrown along the way are what help make everything that much more exciting. A constant inner struggle I have these days is finding a balance between creating work that doesn’t sacrifice the artistic vision at all while still remaining relevant to a large audience. This is especially important in a medium as expensive as filmmaking, but this challenge works to the benefit of the final products by inadvertently forcing creative solutions.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work has been heavily influenced by the weak grasp of language that I had when I was younger. I focus on writing and directing films about people without voices and who are often forgotten by society. There is beauty in the lives of these kinds of people, and I strive to keep telling stories that are not conventionally depicted. My last two films are the ones I am most proud of because they have focused on the experience of being an immigrant.
“Americana” is a short film that was released earlier this year that shows the lives of two undocumented immigrants struggling with their inner sense of identity in a new country. It humanizes an experience that has been missing from political discourse on the subject.
My latest film was a collaboration with Amanda Pascali titled “Temporary Home”. Amanda creates immigrant-American folk music, and this movie depicts the experience of her father from when he moved to America in search of political asylum. The heavy mix of music and filmmaking adds a visceral sense of the emotions that are felt when the pursuit of happiness meets unexpected challenges.
It is important to tell these kinds of stories today, and I hope they become more prevalent in the future.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Without question, my favorite part of Houston is our diversity. I am grateful to be immersed in such a vibrant melting pot that is present all throughout the city. Houston offers an invaluable experience in the art, cuisine, and the people that surround us.
Because of all the great art that can be found throughout the city, I would like to see this level of quality reflected in the filmmaking community in Houston. Despite the large size and population of Houston, there isn’t a significant demand for narrative film work. Houston is a city that I love, and it is filled with talented and driven filmmakers. I am hopeful that this community will continue to grow in the coming years.
Contact Info:
- Email: joelvaldes27@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_and_valdes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe25Hyne0vk6wYTFhOWIG6A
