At 15, Eduardo Minett made his Hollywood debut alongside Clint Eastwood in the 2021 feature film “Cry Macho.” Now, he’s back home in Mexico, where he is shooting to stardom.
We got a chance to sit down with Eduardo to hear about his new Netflix movie, how Mexican movie production compares to Hollywood and a new music project he is heading up.
Your big screen debut in 2021 was at age 15, co-starring with Clint Eastwood in the film “Cry Macho.” What can you tell us about that experience?
Before “Cry Macho” I never had the opportunity to do movies. I was always trying to do casting [calls], but, yeah, “Cry Macho” was a wonderful experience. It represents a before-and-after because I grew so much and now have new opportunities.
How does making movies in Hollywood compare to making movies in Mexico?
I thought I was going to see a lot of differences, but, no, the main difference I saw comes down to food. In American productions, the food is a little better. My [only] experience is with “Cry Macho” which was a big Hollywood production. In Mexico, the food is not bad – I’m not saying that – but in “Cry Macho” they always gave me chocolate, candy, and treats, hahaha.
There is a recent Mexico News Daily article about an agreement between the Mexican government and six Hollywood film studios. What do you think this means?
I think it means more opportunities in general for actors and actresses, producers and the entire industry. In Mexico and Latin America, we have a great [film] industry. Some people think that the Latino film industry is not good but that is simply not true. I think the big U.S. studios are paying more attention to Mexico, maybe even as an entry into Latin America.
Is it fair to say that the Mexican film industry has grown substantially in recent years?
Yes, I think so. When I first started acting over 10 years ago, the industry in Mexico was relatively small. Now we have more opportunities and great people like Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro González Iñárritu. In the last three or four years the Mexican industry has been growing very fast.
Not only is it acting but also directing, producing, even the music. In the last “Black Panther” movie, we had [the Mexican actor] Tenoch Huerta and [the Mexican rapper] Santa Fe Klan, who did music for the movie.
You have a new movie recently released on Netflix: “¿Encontró lo que buscaba?” (Have a Nice Day!) What does this latest movie mean to you?
I worked with Yibrán Asuad, a director I have been waiting years to work with. We did the movie in a small town in San Luis Potosí. The experience of being on set with Àlvaro Guerrero and Andrea Chaparro, the other main actors in the movie, was great. I think what I most enjoy about acting is being with other actors, not only [while filming] the project, but also talking about our lives and developing relationships.
The movie has multiple elderly characters who play refreshing roles that challenge typical depictions.
Yeah, one of the things I love about this movie is that there is a mix of a lot of different generations, as you mention, with different themes that emerge.
We have had to postpone this interview a couple of times due to auditions that have come up. Can you tell us about new projects on the horizon?
I have been doing a lot of [acting] auditions recently, as well as music. I also received an offer to direct theater which would be a first for me. It makes me nervous when I think about it because it is something of a dream for me. I have a lot of experience in theater but this would be new.
I know that you also have a music project in the works. What can you tell us about that?
I am working with my rock band Maddox. We have a team that helps us and [we] have already recorded six songs … we are looking to finish our first album with around 10. We write the songs; the creative part is all us.
You mentioned you are now a freshman in college studying music. How are you able to balance everything?
I don’t know! I started college in January as a 16 year-old so the first few days I was scared but I have adapted and fit in now. I love acting but have been studying acting since before I was 6 years old. It is time to study my other passion: music.
I understand you play guitar, sing, you write music, and are also teaching yourself how to play the drums.
Yeah, I am starting to pick up different instruments. I don’t have experience and have never really played the bass [guitar] but yesterday in class I said “Hey, I’ll try it.” We were playing “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam. Actually, the teacher was surprised and said I played very well. It is cool to do things that represent a challenge for you.
So, you are a big Beatles fan and give them credit for helping found the hard rock genre. Can you tell us more about that?
The Beatles played such a role in the founding of the music we know and listen to nowadays. One of those genres that we listen to is hard rock.
When I listen to the White Album and the song “Helter Skelter,” I think about that moment … it was very hard. The bands at that time were playing softer rock, and the Beatles made this song. That is part of how the Beatles helped to create hard rock.
Lastly, what are some of your musical influences or music that you gravitate towards?
I have a lot: B.B. King, John Mayer or Stevie Ray Vaughn. I love the blues and I love playing the blues. In general, I would say my influences include Michael Jackson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Slash from Guns ‘n Roses, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee.
In Mexico we have Jay de la Cueva. Wow. He is a guitarist, a composer, a drummer… he plays everything. He is one of my idols in Mexico. We also have Ximena Sariñana and Adan Jodorowsky…there are just so many great artists here to mention.
Patrick Leet is a professor and freelance writer based in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
