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." I IMDb
“Real world films experimenting with visual storytelling. ‘New York Spin’ follows lives and dreams across the city’s many layers, as we witness unexpected rhythms of coexistence. ‘You Are Mythical’ shifts the look at young European artists who channel classic myths —showing how ancient archetypes continue to shape 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 search of how individual stories emerge from, and in turn inform, larger cultural frameworks, whether within urban encounters of New York or evolving European myths.
New York Spin (2002, Spain, 87:00, 63:00) [director], is a transmedia documentary film that offers an intimate portrait of the 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 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. The film also addresses the impact of the September 11 attacks, weaving this event into the personal journeys of its subjects, and was recognized with international awards, showing its humanistic approach to depicting the spirit of New York.
You Are Mythical (2018, Spain, 80:00) [director], is a transmedia documentary film produced within the framework of the European Union-funded Crossing Stages project, coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. This film looks at a common culture through the lives of seven young Europeans who embody classical myths in modern settings. The narrative unfolds across Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Slovenia, blending fiction, video art, animation, and performance. Each character —Penelope, Antigone, Jason, Siren, Oedipus, Narcissus, Ulysses— navigates personal journeys that resonate with their mythical counterparts, offering a reflection on themes of love, identity, fate, and self-perception. The film contributes to a broader dialogue that reinterprets classical myths to reflect the complexities of modern European society. The project includes art expressions, including dance, theater, and academic work, fostering a collective view of shared futures.” 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.