At the end of the 1990s, a story shook Mexico and the world: the arrest of one of the cruelest and bloodiest kidnappers known in recent history. This is Daniel Arizmendi, who was captured on August 17, 1998.
Now, this story is brought to the screen through the ViX platform and this series is led by the veteran actor Damián Alcázar.
The actor has an extensive career in television, Latin and international cinema and now on streaming platforms, where he has taken on significant characters in series.
Moreover, he has been very vocal in politics and on social issues in Mexico. That is why this topic attracted his attention and he shared with us his perspective on why these events unfolded, due to the lack of opportunities.
“We must remember it because it is a dark, horrifying incident in Mexico that sits within the global movement of neoliberalism. Many companies that provided livelihoods to thousands of workers are wiped out, privatized, and the working people lose a lot. These were events that marked the history of our country; we must talk about them with the greatest objectivity,” he explained.
The series comprises eight episodes in which this story is narrated, in which Arizmendi, a ruthless kidnapper, leads his gang and, as a hallmark, is known for severing the ears of his victims. Media outlets at the time reported that he had been the mastermind behind at least 21 kidnappings, and there is a lot in his file.
“We want to give people many elements so that they reflect on how life is being lived and, of course, to have fun and be excited by our story.”
At the same time, for Alcázar there is a responsibility to portray a character of this level, a commitment he reaffirmed during our conversation.
“I see the characteristics a project on television must have: if it is objective and well written, it is intelligent. If they want to do this, it means they are interested in delivering quality and I set my terms, because one must say ‘I’ll play if you allow me’ and we see that everything is open to possibility.”
Although it is drawn from true stories, the series has its touch of fiction. The actor assured that the balance between reality and what is told had to be very balanced; moreover, there were other elements he sought to be part of this project.
“The cast matters, good actors and actresses, taking great care with the execution of the story, so it does not drift into the melodrama that we Latinos easily fall into, and there is a balance between the real and the fictional.”
In this series also participate Alberto Estrella, Alex Perea, Arcelia Ramírez, Claudia Ramírez and Scarlet Gruber.
