Total Rijor (2002) - Short Film by Rogelio Sikander | Cinematography by Fito Pardo AMC

Описание: A Grungy, Kitsch Masterpiece from the Heart of Mexico City.

Welcome to the cinematography portfolio of Fito Pardo AMC. This featured work is "Total Rijor," an avant-garde short film directed by the late Rogelio Sikander, one of Mexico's most promising rising talents of the early 2000s.

Shot entirely on location in Mexico City, "Total Rijor" captures a raw, "grungy but kitsch" aesthetic that defines a specific era of Mexican independent cinema. This film represents a unique collaboration between Sikander’s experimental vision and the high-contrast, atmospheric lighting of the late film-only era.

Technical Specifications for Film Enthusiasts:

Format: Kodak 16mm Color Film
Cameras: Arri 16mm
Lighting: Large-scale Tungsten lamps (Classic "Big Toys")
Aesthetic: High saturation, gritty textures, and kitsch production design.

The Story Behind the Lens: As the Cinematographer, I (Fito Pardo AMC) pushed the boundaries of 16mm to achieve a look that was simultaneously polished and rebellious. We utilized massive tungsten setups before the industry shifted to LED, giving the film a warmth and depth that is hard to replicate today. Though Rogelio had a complicated relationship with the final product, it remains a vital piece of my portfolio and a tribute to his avant-garde legacy in Mexico.

In this video, "Total Rijor" (2002), a short film shot in Mexico City, follows the life of a young man navigating the streets of Mexico City. The film begins with a dictionary definition of "Rijoso," which translates to someone prone to fighting or quarrels [00:00]. It transitions to a morning scene in a cluttered room where two young men wake up to a phone call [00:57]. The protagonist then drives through Mexico City, accompanied by a quirky, upbeat soundtrack [02:28].

Tensions rise during a heated confrontation between the young man and his father in an apartment hallway [02:50]. Later, he and a friend visit a convenience store, engaging in a dialogue about social hierarchies and identity in Mexico [03:33]. The narrative takes a surreal turn when members of a religious organization, "La Granja de Jesús," visit the protagonist's home to offer a "testimony of life" and spiritual guidance [08:24]. The film concludes with a stylized golf sequence and the protagonist making a phone call from a public booth [09:48], followed by the closing credits [12:05].

Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction: The Definition of Rijoso [00:57] - Morning in CDMX [02:28] - Driving through the City (Music Sequence) [02:50] - The Hallway Confrontation [03:33] - 7-Eleven: Social Dynamics & Dialogue [08:24] - The Granja de Jesús Intervention [09:48] - The Golf Sequence & Ending [12:05] - Full Credits & Crew

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