“On the Go”, interview with co-directors María G. Royo and Julia de Castro

September 26, 2024

María G. Royo and Julia de Castro, co-directors on surrealism, motherhood and intergenerational friendship in road movie "On the Go"

"On the Go", interview with co-directors María G. Royo and Julia de Castro Sarah Bradbury

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During the London Spanish Film Festival, Fred Film Radio caught up with the co-directors María G. Royo and Julia de Castro on their blisteringly original wild trip of a road movie “On the Go“.

They shared how they deeply connected over the idea of an homage to 1980s movie “Corridas de alegría” while sat in a tax office, not least because it looked like a lot of fun was had making it. Staying true to the original, they shot on 16mm despite everyone telling them not to, needing to develop their own non-conventional methodology to make it work, often only shooting one take and only being able to see what they’d filmed days later.

We discussed the idiosyncratic voice of the feature, which Royo described as exploring the “fertile space between delirium and surrealism”, often shifting seamlessly between realism and fairytale-like otherworldliness, moments of tragedy and absurd humour, dealing with sex, relationships and queer identity in rebellious, fun and frank terms.

They further explained how they found a key thread for the film was the common ground the two shared about ambivalence and uncertainty about motherhood, with their two differing perspectives, presented in a raw, irreverent and playful way, creating the central conceit of the film. The movie also emerged as an ode to friendship, particularly intergenerational friendship, which isn’t often shown on screen.

Finally, they gave us a sneak peek into the epic and varied soundtrack, which featured both local artists and the likes of Nina Kravitz, and their hope to find distribution in and collaborate with the UK on productions in future.

Plot

Milagros stretches a carefree youth in her last years of fertility, while Jonathan is addicted to Grindr and seeking vengeance to overcome abandonment issues. Despite being unemployed, Milagros is determined to be a mother. That’s why she arrives to Seville in her father’s ‘67 Corvair with the intention of persuading Jonathan to be her sperm donor and thus starting a delirious trip alongside a young woman picked on the road, called Queen of Triana and who claims to be a mermaid in urgent need of getting to the sea. More than a freewheeling road movie, On the Go is an adventure full of fun, music, dance, sex and stunning Andalusian landscapes.

Written by: Sarah Bradbury

Guest

Julia de Castro María G. Royo

Film

On the Go

Festival

London Spanish Film Festival

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Interview

Festa del Cinema di Roma

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