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Ricardo de Montreuil: Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Artist, Designer

Ricardo de Montreuil:  Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Artist, Designer

Introduction to Ricardo de Montreuil. 1:24 min. Interview: Raymond Elman.  Post-Production: Lee Skye. Music: Tony Succar.  Recorded via ZOOM  02/03/2026. Miami — Los Angeles.

 

Born in Lima, Peru, RICARDO DE MONTREUIL is a feature film director and writer based in Los Angeles since 2005. He began his artistic training in painting at the Trujillo Fine Arts School under renowned Peruvian painter Pedro Azabache, and later earned both a B.A. and M.A. in Graphic Design—with a minor in Film and Art History—from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). He continued his education in Los Angeles, where he trained in directing under Judith Weston.

De Montreuil made his feature film debut with “La Mujer de mi Hermano” (“My Brother’s Wife”), based on the novel by controversial Peruvian author Jaime Bayly. The film was acquired by Twentieth Century Fox for Latin American distribution and by Lionsgate for U.S. theatrical release. It became one of the highest-grossing films in Latin American exhibition history and, at the time, set records for the widest release and biggest opening weekend box office for a Spanish-language film in the U.S.

His next feature, “Máncora,” premiered in competition in the World Drama category at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and went on to screen at SXSW, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Mill Valley Film Festival, the Stockholm International Film Festival, the São Paulo International Film Festival, the Seattle International Film Festival, the Miami International Film Festival, and the Bergen International Film Festival.

In 2010, de Montreuil’s science fiction short film, “The Raven,” garnered significant industry attention for its storytelling and groundbreaking visual effects. Following its success, De Montreuil partnered with screenwriter Justin Marks and producer Mark Wahlberg to develop a feature adaptation at Universal Pictures.

De Montreuil later directed “Lowriders” for Universal Pictures, produced by Brian Grazer and Jason Blum, and starring Academy Award nominee Demián Bichir. The film enjoyed the highest per-theater average in the U.S. during its opening weekend.

His latest feature, “Mistura,” premiered in the U.S. at the 2024 Mill Valley Film Festival before making its Latin American debut at the Morelia International Film Festival. At the 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival, Mistura won the Jury Awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress. It continued its success at the Durango Independent Film Festival, earning the Audience Award for Best Picture as well as Jury Awards for Best Picture and Best Actress. Most recently, it received the Jury Award for Best Picture at the Sarasota International Film Festival. The film is set for a wide theatrical release across Latin America in 2025-26.

— https://www.ricardodemontreuil.com/

 

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 10 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR “MISTURA”   1:56 min.

A gastronomic period film written, directed, edited, and executive produced by Ricardo de Montreuil

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:   1:58 min.

Where did you grow up, and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:   1:37 min.

Did you ever make comic books or comic illustrations?

 

STRONG DRIVE FOR ACHIEVEMENT:   2:19 min.

Were your parents supportive of you pursuing a career in the arts?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   0:33 sec.

What was the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

 

EMPATHY:   10:03 min.

What was your filmmaking evolution following your graduation from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:    0:55 sec.

Your most recent film, “Mistura” (2024), set in 1965, has many political and familia themes. Did you grow up in an aristocratic family?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:    3:02 min.

Is Norma, the lead character in “Mistura,” based on anybody in your family?

 

COMPULSION:    1:57 min.

Do you have any experience cooking in a Peruvian restaurant?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    3:37 min.

How did chef Gastón Acurio influence “Mistura”?

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:    2:01 min

What’s on your drawing board?

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    1:51 min

What’s your favorite movie?