7 Questions with BLUE BEETLE Director Angel Manuel Soto

Film & Familia  ‌ ‌ ‌ Welcome to the story behind the story. This is IMAX In Frame   Films (And Familia) Are Forever In conversation with BLUE BEETLE director Angel Manuel Soto   Angel Manuel Soto wasn't the type of kid who anyone might have expected to grow up a filmmaker. Born in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Soto came up from modest means. His family's first priority was to have him get an education; films were far from their mind. When they saw he wasn't about to give up his cinematic dreams, they supported him through a journey that began in short films, and has now ended up with his new feature, BLUE BEETLE. While it isn't the first superhero saga to grace screens, this latest entry to the DC entertainment universe is unique. It's a love letter to the unsung heroes of so many journeys- our families. We sat down with him to chat music, movies, and of course, family. 7 Questions with BLUE BEETLE Director Angel Manuel Soto 1. We know that BLUE BEETLE is Filmed for IMAX. Could you tell us a little bit about when you made the decision to film the movie for IMAX? Right off the bat we wanted to have the opportunity to bring the best immersive experience that we could for this particular movie because we know how great it would look in IMAX. We had yet to see our culture in IMAX, and I wanted to see ourselves represented on the biggest screen possible. When I started working with Pawel [Pogorzelski, cinematographer], we knew that we wanted to shoot for IMAX.  We went through the process with editorial just looking at what are the best scenes that could do the [expanded aspect ratio] that were not just action sequences. We wanted to be able to have moments of just family intimacy and family dynamics also shown in that immersive format. 2. You mentioned that you wanted to focus on more than just the action. Are there any particular scenes that are your favorites that you were able to shoot with that extra picture for fans?  The most exciting part for me, was the transformation sequence. We’re inside this humble Latino house. Everything looks normal but once the scarab jumps on his face, it pops into it [expanded aspect ratio] so you are you're sucked in.  3. Why do you want fans to go and experience the movie in IMAX? Honestly, when I first saw it in IMAX, I was so blown away how it almost covers my peripherals. Being able to look at everything that's happening in the frame, I think unconsciously gives you that sense of immersion. And by being immersed, I mean you automatically feel like you are part of the action or the story and in this case, you are part of the family. You're in it with them. Also, the sound is amazing. I remember when they were doing the quality check at IMAX HQ and they sent me videos of the parking lot trembling with the sound of our movie. That was what I wanted to do, it doesn't need to be loud, you just need to feel it. And the same thing I feel goes on with the visuals. To get that fully immersive experience, I think IMAX is the one to go with. 4. With IMAX you can make your own bespoke audio track. Can you tell us a little bit about how your musical influences inspired the way that you wanted the movie to come across with the sound? You used to be in a punk rock band, did your passion for music influence how you approached the sound for the movie? 100%. I wanted a lot of our soundtrack to feel like it would be a playlist that exists in every household. I made a playlist that included all the songs that each family member would listen to and by doing so I was able to tap into the nostalgia of the music that I grew up with. Also, the writer pitched music that his family grew up with and by doing so we were able to bring this amazing plethora of sounds that go from regional music or more traditional music to reggaeton, cumbia, salsa, rock, punk. We even have Cypress Hill and Motley Crüe in it. We also have a lot of great bands that might be unknown in the US that resonate with Latin America. I think all those noises that go from like garage rock to deep bass rap or something, all influence a lot of the sounds that we were trying to make. We wanted to give it that nostalgic vibe and the [IMAX] sound helped a lot. 5. Earlier you mentioned you wanted to film the movie for IMAX because you hadn't seen a story like this in IMAX before. How does it feel to know that you created something that has the potential to inspire kids who might not have seen themselves represented? Yes, being able to inspire future generations to feel empowered to not only tell their own stories but also follow their dreams because it is not an easy journey. But nothing worth having in life is going to be easy. The fact that I could [direct a film], even from the lack of resources that I had, be able to be where I am today, and inspire people, for me, that's the biggest thing. If somebody from a neighborhood like mine chooses to not stay on the streets but pursue the arts, for me, that's a win. 6. If there is any movie that you could experience for the first time or again in IMAX, what would it be?  INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE because that was the first movie I remember watching in the theatre. That was the movie that ignited my curiosity and passion for cinema. Given that it was such a transcendental experience for me as a kid, I would love to see that in IMAX.   7. A big theme for the film, as you’ve said, is family and family informing how we fulfill our destiny. Can you talk a little bit about your own journey and how your family played into it? My family at first did not understand that there is a future to be had by not only making movies, but actually following your dreams. Or pursuing art in general for that matter. My family comes from a very poor background, so their main goal was being able to provide an education for us and protect us and give us everything they couldn't have. So I always understood why they would protect me from any sort of different outcome that could have happened in my life, but at the end of the day when they saw that they couldn't talk any sense to me, they supported me, because they were like “if we don't support him, he's going to do it on his own.” Without them, I wouldn't be able to be where I am today. I don't take any of those sacrifices lightly.  And that's what we aim to do with this movie, besides telling the story of Jaime, Blue Beetle and introducing this amazing character to the world as a new superhero, and the very first Latino superhero of the DCU. I wanted to make this a love letter to our family and the people that came before us. They gave up a lot for us to be where we are, to have the life that we have. And they are heroes in their own right. So I wanted to give them that chance to shine. This piece was transcribed from a video interview. It has been edited for length and clarity. Experience BLUE BEETLE in IMAX, now playing.   Each month, we’ll deliver a new exclusive piece of editorial to your inbox. 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