It’s Monday, everyone is heading back to school, and Daniel is proud to boast about his new and original sneakers - shoes his father brought back from the US. However, his excitement fades and his pride gets shaken when another boy shows up wearing the exact same pair. With Viaje de Negocios (Business Trip), director Gerardo Coello Escalante cleverly crafts a nuanced drama with unexpected depth.

Growing up, seeing kids in the playground wearing clothes or sneakers that came from the US was undeniably a sign of wealth - and often an automatic boost to their cool factor. Coello shared with us that the concept of Viaje de Negocios came up while reflecting on the “differences and similarities of [his and co-writer/producer Amandine Thomas’] upbringings in Mexico City and Virginia, respectively”. While the surface level of the narrative is the emotional realization of the main protagonist, the film is also an effective depiction of American soft power and our obsessions with US products, especially shoes.

“I wanted to make something quotidian and nuanced that was decidedly not centered on the most tragic and horrific aspects of life in our country”

As a Mexican filmmaker, Coello was also very conscious about how he wanted to frame his country in his story, steering clear of the cliche topics we are used to seeing when Mexico is seen on screen. “I wanted to make something quotidian and nuanced that was decidedly not centered on the most tragic and horrific aspects of life in our country”, he explained. Instead, he opts for a simple yet sensitive coming-of-age narrative - one that the audience can perceive as life-changing before the protagonist is able to.

Shot on location at the very school Coello once attended, Viaje de Negocios carries an authentic, immersive quality. Working with DP Cody Powers, the cinematography invites us into the school environment - from the playground to the classroom. The color palette is instantly engaging, yet the framing does not constrain the film to a specific time period. Powers is also not afraid to get close to the lead actor, using the background as both a visual and societal canvas, while keeping the focus on the boy as he processes this new information.

[caption id="attachment_41011" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Viaje de Negocios Short Film

Rodrigo Mota stars as Daniel in Viaje de Negocios[/caption]

Cast primarily with non-professional actors - students and teachers from the school - the film’s performances are nonetheless impressive. Coello and his actors succeed in capturing the atmosphere of that school and its daily activities, with all the supporting cast delivering lived-in performances for their characters. Rodrigo Mota, who plays Daniel, is especially compelling, as his character goes from feelings of pride to a mix of shame, betrayal and disappointment. The multiple layers of the story rely heavily on his performance and he hits the right notes on cue, furthering our emotional engagement with his loveable character.

Following its World Premiere at the 2024 edition of Sundance, Viaje de Negocios went on to play at multiple festivals, including the Palm Springs ShortFest, Morelia or LALIFF, ahead of its online release. Since then, Coello has co-directed a new short film, Susana, with Business Trip producer and co-writer Thomas. That short also premiered at Sundance earlier this year and is currently on the festival circuit. The duo is now developing two feature films.