Gael García Bernal plays the boxer Esteban, who is called La Máquina – the machine. He is a big idol in Mexico, but his career is declining.
We wanted to tell a reversed boxing story, not about someone who reaches success, but someone who is on their way down, says Bernal when TT meets him and Luna in a digital interview.
Luna plays the role of La Máquina's manager Andy. When he manages to arrange a big match for the boxer, it simultaneously emerges that the manager has seen to it that many matches have been fixed in La Máquina's favor over the years.
We wanted to include this aspect of the success being arranged. What does it mean in their relationship? When the trust between them breaks, it's an interesting drama to play with, says Gael García Bernal.
"Enormous class differences"
Diego Luna thinks that boxing was the only sport that would fit for this drama, since Mexico has a long history of successful boxers.
People have had success, many have had a hard time quitting. As an audience, it's often been the only time we've been able to unite to see a Mexican win. There are enormous class differences in Mexico, but in the boxing ring, we can unite.
He sees great similarities between boxing, wrestling, and theater.
But in wrestling, it's always about good vs. evil. In boxing, there's more humanity. We feel sympathy for the one who loses.
Nominated for an Oscar
Bernal and Luna were just over 20 years old when the leading roles in Alfonso Cuarón's road movie "Din mamma också!" – about two young friends who go on a trip with an older woman – gave them immediate fame.
The film received an Oscar nomination and won several international awards. The young actors started a joint production company and have, alongside that, made several films and TV series in Mexico and other countries. Diego Luna has become most known for the "Star Wars" film "Rogue One" and its TV series prequel "Andor".
It's fantastic that we've been able to work together for so long. We did theater together when we were eight, then came "Din mamma också!". It's been a long journey, and of course, it has changed us. We always look forward to the next collaboration, and what we can provoke in each other, where it will take us, says Diego Luna.
Age: 44 years.
Family: Two children.
Lives: In Mexico City.
Occupation: Actor.
Previous roles in selection: "Din mamma också!", "Frida", "Open range", "Dirty dancing 2", "The terminal", "Milk", "Casanova", "Rogue one", "Flatliners", "If Beale street could talk", "Narcos: Mexico", "Andor".
Currently starring in: "La Máquina" which streams on Disney+ from 9/10.
Age: 45 years.
Family: Partner Fernanda Aragonés, one child.
Lives: In Mexico City and Buenos Aires.
Occupation: Actor.
Previous roles in selection: "Din mamma också!", "Från himlen inget nytt", "Fidel", "Dagbok från en motorcykel", "The king", "Babel", "Mammut", "Salt and fire", "Coco", "It must be heaven", "Werewolf by night".
Currently starring in: "La Máquina" which streams on Disney+ from 9/10.
