filmsDocumentary feature films exploring narratives. New York Spin “People from different walks of life merge in New York.” IMDb I You Are Mythical ”Young European artists connect daily life and classic myths." IMDb
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“I use real world experiences to expand the geographies of storytelling. In ‘New York Spin’, I follow the vibrant blend of lives across the city’s many layers, where people from different walks of life produce unexpected rhythms of coexistence. ‘You Are Mythical’ shifts the look at young European artists who, in the midst of their daily lives, invoke classical myths —revealing how archetypes continue to inform contemporary identity.”
New York Spin
Transmedia documentary film that follows 24 New Yorkers lives and dreams. Project Involve Award Honoree, Independent Feature Project New York.
—- New York Spin on YouTube
You Are Mythical
Transmedia documentary film produced in seven languages in the frame of Crossing Stages UC3M European arts project. Screenings in eight countries.
—- You Are Myhical on Vimeo
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New York Spin (2002, Spain, 87:00, 63:00) Director: Pedro Valiente
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You Are Mythical (2018, Spain, 80:00) Director Pedro Valiente
Real Worlds in Unreal Narratives
“Pedro Valiente’s non-fiction filmmaking practice explores the intersection of lived experience and narrative imagination, drawing on real lives as a means of finding his own voice. Together, these two works reflect the filmmaker’s ongoing search of how individual stories emerge from —and in turn shape— larger cultural frameworks, whether within the immediate urban vibrancy of New York or the evolving European myths.
New York Spin (2002, Spain, 87:00, 63:00), is a poignant documentary film that offers an intimate and multifaceted portrayal of New York City. The film follows the lives of six New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds, capturing their personal stories and dreams over a span of two years. These narratives unfold against the backdrop of the city’s vibrant and ever-changing landscape. The documentary's structure is experimental, with each segment uniquely conceived, shot, and scored, reflecting the individuality of its subjects. The film's visual storytelling and musical choices have been praised for their strength and emotional resonance. Notably, New York Spin also addresses the profound impact of the September 11 attacks, weaving this pivotal event into the personal journeys of its subjects. The film has been recognized with numerous international accolades, highlighting its compelling and humanistic approach to depicting the spirit of New York and its inhabitants.
You Are Mythical (2018, Spain, 80:00), is a transmedia documentary film produced within the framework of the European Union-funded Crossing Stages project, coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). This innovative film explores the intersection of ancient mythology and contemporary European identity through the lives of seven young individuals who embody classical myths in modern settings. The narrative unfolds across Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Slovenia, blending fiction, video art, animation, and performance to create a compelling audiovisual experience. Each character —Penelope, Antigone, Jason, the Siren, Oedipus, Narcissus, and Ulysses— navigates personal journeys that resonate with their mythological counterparts, offering a reflection on themes of love, identity, fate, and self-perception. As a central piece of Crossing Stages, the film contributes to a broader cultural dialogue that reinterprets classical myths to reflect the complexities of modern European society. The project encompasses various art expressions, including dance, theater, and academic work, fostering a collective exploration of shared cultural heritage.” LinkedIn I IMDb I Behance I UC3M I EXTERNAL REVIEW
NEW YORK SPIN I Lester Humphrey boy from Brooklyn loves The Rock. Lida Ahmady is an Afghan student of Chinese medicine. Priest Luis Barrios baptized The Latin Kings. Patty Ordóñez is a deaf costume designer. Bosnian drummer Darko Jelisic lost his hand at war. Mexican David Matiano dreams of dancing in New York. I IMDb
YOU ARE MYTHICAL I Penelope is a woman in search of love. Antigone dissolves into herself. Jason fights a Dragon. Siren listens to the call. Oedipus escapes his fate. Narcissus looks at the mirror. Ulysses is an untiring. Quests of a common culture that makes us humans, and mythical. I IMDb
Transmedia Projects
New York Spin (2002, Spain, 87:00 I 63:00) is composed of 24 segments featuring 6 leading characters and 18 supporting ones, offering a multifaceted portrait of urban life. You Are Mythical (2018, Spain, 80:00) is structured into 21 segments, with 7 characters each explored across three views: Myth, Life, Visual Poem. Both films are conceived as transmedia projects, designed to unfold across multiple platforms —including cinema, television, and digital media— in order to grant audiences greater freedom in navigating a rich, interconnected universe of content.