“Cinema is like dreaming, any idea your mind can create you can make. We’re limited only by your imaginations… and money, make sure you have lots of money."
Omar Juarez, is a Latinx filmmaker from Honduras, currently living in Los Angeles CA. With over 15 Director of Photography credits, his first directorial debut “Second Hand” was officially selected into 13+ film festivals, also winning awards like “Best Short Film” or “Best Horror/Thriller”.
Omar, in what way would you say Second Hand is a unique cross genre film?
I’ve been told “Second Hand” feels like a Disney movie, but it also makes sense to place it in the horror category. I think what’s unique about “Second Hand” is that it has a little bit of everything for everyone, Romance, Comedy, Drama and Horror, it’s also a silent film (No Dialogue), so anyone anywhere can relate to it and enjoy.
Mirrors have always held imagery of mysterious secrecy, isn’t that right? Was there any particular mirror that drove you to write this story?
Casting for the film was quite easy actually. I didn’t hold auditions, I just directly cast the talent, they were all actors I’ve worked with before on past films where I was cinematographer. Joseph Roberts the main lead, was someone I always had in mind while writing the script, he’s an amazing performer, very charismatic and funny, it’s hard to keep your eyes off him and that’s exactly what we needed for the film.
