Laundry days - Preparing for Ancon scenes

Yesterday and today has been pretty busy days coordinating filming sessions that will happen in Ancón.

Tuesday afternoon we went up to the top of the morro to pick up my stuff (uniforms, canons, equipment, etc) and to destiny -as always- likes to play games: the truck I asked from the army had a malfunction half way up the steep road. But so it seemed. They later sent a mechanic only to discover that it wasnt a malfunction but simply lack of experience of the driver. We finally reached the top and picked up my stuff and came down a few hours later, reaching the place where we are keeping my stuff before taking it to Ancon) at night.

Today has been laundry day. Because new extras are gonna be using the uniforms, we think it is now time for laundry. Starting in mid November 2010, all garments have gathered fake (and real) blood stains, dirt, soil and lots of sweat, making many simply unwearable. So, just a decent wash is in order to take out the excess soil and stains and of course the smell. Starting with the Peruvian uniforms, we did the first hundred or so today. Tomorrow the rest and then on to the Chilean ones.

The idea is to just take off the excess but still keep the dirty look. They are in war time so no cleanliness is expected.

Lucky to have the best team :)

We practically do it all.

Year old stains. Hard to get rid of.

Last days at the morro

Been quite silent for a few weeks for a few reasons: releasing stress, preparing the last scenes at the morro (meetings and coordinations) and also some damn tooth ache that almost killed me! Lol

Finally, these week is the last one at the morro. It has been quite a ride, full of adrenaline, extreme weather changes, dilemmas but above all, quite amazing takes, scenes and performances by the whole cast and crew. I'm very proud for it.

As I look at the pictures and recall all the countless issues that had to be passed to make it happen I can't help it but to enter in deep though. Thought and reflection on perseverance. Like when studying at theater school, my tutors -having a strong japanese discipline- took us while doing physical training, to the the most extremes levels of endurance. We were all skinny during those crazy years for so much sweating and exercise. It was like being in the army. Could not complain but follow indications or u were out. That form of discipline forms character and a certain mystic and respect for your work. There came moments when you couldn't take it anymore and you were about to throw the towel. But if u kept pushing it further you passed a certain type of "threshold" and then....you felt nothing but became the stamina itself. The power itself, the "will" itself.

I guess this is what comes to my mind when I see no stop to all the huge hurdles that we all go thru. Perhaps we pass the "threshold" of endurance against odds and become the endurance itself. Thats why I'm very thankful to all the people involved who put trust and their own endurance and will with me to push this thing forward.

Now again...going up to the top of the morro for last time. Next stop: Ancón deserts for the Alto del Alianza battle scenes (the following scenes to what has been filmed there half a year ago).

Weather is ok. Lots of sun but with a huge smile on my face. :)

With the real heroes :)

Last day at the morro. Watching the sunset.

The hand of God reminding me to keep pushing along.