Crew Members Attacked On The Set Of Alfonso Cuaron’s Film In Mexico City

Crew members working on the set of Alfonso Cuaron’s untitled period film in Mexico
City were assaulted by a group of union workers Tuesday.

The Oscar-winning helmer (“Gravity”) was not on set when the group of men interfered
with the shoot’s attempts to close down some streets, removing the street cones despite
the crew’s protests that it had the necessary permits to shoot in the neighborhood.

The crew claims that they were also robbed of their personal belongings, but local police
authorities have tried to downplay the incident.

Below is the statement issued by the production:

Yesterday, Tuesday, November 1, 2016, while members of our production team were 
 working at the location of José Maria Iglesias Street in the Tabacalera community 
with official permits from the Film Commission of Mexico City, they were assaulted 
by workers of the Cuahutémoc District.

It was not a “simple fight” like the authorities have reported, it was assault and there 
were people injured: two women were hit; five of our crew members were taken to the 
hospital; and phones, wallets and jewelry were stolen.

After we filed the complaint, the response of the District was immediate and positive. 

We hope that the district authorities will keep their promise and help compensate for 
the stolen items, as well as bringing those responsible to justice.

At the moment, we are not worried about our team’s safety. However, it is alarming 
that union workers from the Cuahutémoc District will attack and assault citizens that 
are legally doing their jobs.

We are very grateful to all the neighbors from Jose Maria Iglesias Street for giving us 
their support and help to the affected crew members.

We are attaching a copy of the permits issued by the Film Commission of Mexico City, 
as well as pictures of the injured crew members.

Respectfully,

Espectaculos Filmicos El Coyul

It has been 15 years since Cuaron last shot a pic in Mexico. His acclaimed 2001 road
movie “Y tu mama tambien,” starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, helped Cuaron
reinvigorate his then-flagging career.

Cuaron’s drama is set in the 1970s and tracks a day in the life of a middle class family in
Mexico City. Few other details are available except that DP Emmanuel Lubezki, who has
won three cinematography Oscars in a row, including for “Gravity,” is on board to shoot the film.

The untitled project is produced by Cuaron, Gabriela Rodriguez (“Gravity,” “Children of Men”),
and Nicolas Celis of Pimienta Films (“The Untamed,” “Desierto”). Jeff Skoll, David Linde, and
Jonathan King of Participant Media executive produce.