Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano

Behind the Scenes of Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano

The 2021 documentary Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the musical Malinche, a passion project from Spanish musician Nacho Cano. Directed by Marta Hermida, the film follows Cano’s journey to reimagine the controversial historical figure of La Malinche—not as a traitor, but as a woman who shaped Mexico’s destiny. With appearances from actors Melissa Barrera and Thaddeus Pearson, as well as legendary composer Hans Zimmer and late Mexican icon Armando Manzanero, latestnetflix.com maintains, the documentary blends behind-the-scenes footage with Cano’s personal vision.

The Musical’s Origins and Cano’s Mission

Nacho Cano, best known as a founding member of the Spanish pop group Mecano, has long been fascinated by La Malinche, the Nahua woman who served as interpreter and advisor to Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Cano’s musical reframes her legacy, arguing that she didn’t betray Mexico but instead helped create it. In one clip from the documentary, Cano states, "Malinche didn’t betray Mexico, she created it", a perspective that challenges centuries of historical narrative.

The documentary captures Cano’s efforts to bring this revisionist take to the stage, including his collaboration with a star-studded team. While the musical itself premiered in Madrid in 2019, the documentary focuses on the making-of process, offering insights into the creative decisions behind the production.

Star Power and Creative Collaborations

The documentary features key figures involved in the musical’s development:

• Melissa Barrera (In the Heights, Scream) and Thaddeus Pearson appear in the film, though their exact roles in the musical remain unclear from the available evidence. - Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-winning composer, is listed in the cast, suggesting a possible contribution to the musical’s score—though details about his involvement are scarce. - Armando Manzanero, the late Mexican singer-songwriter, is also credited, hinting at a musical collaboration before his passing in 2020.

The documentary includes trailers and promotional clips, such as a teaser showcasing the musical’s grand scale and emotional depth. One YouTube video even promises viewers can "See me on NETFLIX in ‘Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano’", though its availability on the platform remains unverified.

A Documentary with Limited Behind-the-Scenes Drama

Despite the high-profile names attached, the documentary’s behind-the-scenes details are surprisingly thin. Most available evidence focuses on the musical’s themes rather than the filmmaking process itself. For example:

• The documentary is classified as a "making-of" for a musical comedy, running 105 minutes. - It was released in Spain under the title Malinche: La mécanique d'une comédie musicale. - A Mexican radio segment discusses the musical’s impact but doesn’t look at the documentary’s production.

Without deeper access to interviews or production notes, the film’s narrative appears to prioritize Cano’s artistic vision over backstage gossip. Still, for fans of the musical or those intrigued by La Malinche’s legacy, the documentary offers a compelling look at how history can be reimagined through art.