Robert Rodriguez Reveals the Only Flawless Film Ever Made
Robert Rodriguez reflects on his career, his admiration for The Godfather, and his latest secretive projects, including a film locked away until 2115.
It’s hard to believe that Robert Rodriguez, the celebrated Mexican filmmaker, has been a fixture in the industry for over three decades and yet is still only 57. His journey began at the age of 11, when he first got his hands on a video camera. Even then, his approach was unconventional—he was dismissed from filming his school’s football matches for focusing on parents’ reactions and dramatic close-ups rather than the action on the pitch. This early flair for storytelling only grew stronger as he made short films throughout university, eventually producing an award-winning piece in 1991. That success paved the way for his debut feature, El Mariachi, shot on a shoestring budget of just $7,000. The film’s eventual box office haul of over $2.5 million proved that Rodriguez’s instincts were spot on.
From Indie Beginnings to Hollywood Collaborations
El Mariachi’s triumph opened doors, allowing Rodriguez to create a sequel, Desperado, in 1995, this time with Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek leading a much larger production. His distinctive style soon caught the eye of Quentin Tarantino, and the two quickly struck up a friendship. Their collaboration resulted in From Dusk Till Dawn in 1996, a vampire thriller that became a cult favourite. Rodriguez’s career then took a quieter turn before he returned with the family adventure Spy Kids in 2001, once again featuring Banderas. He later delved into darker territory with adaptations like Sin City in 2005, followed by the gory Planet Terror and the action-packed Machete in 2010, before revisiting Sin City four years later.
Rodriguez’s Cinematic Influences and Admiration
Over the years, Rodriguez has spoken about the films that have shaped his creative vision, mentioning classics such as Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, Hitchcock’s Notorious, and Spielberg’s Jaws. Yet, there is one film he holds above all others. In his own words:
“The Godfather, because it’s about family. It’s just a perfect film. Five-act structure… It’s just amazing. Coppola just did the coolest stuff with that.”
His admiration for Coppola’s masterpiece led to a memorable conversation with the director in 2015, where they discussed the challenges and triumphs behind both The Godfather and its sequel. Rodriguez’s respect for the film’s structure and emotional depth is clear, and he regards it as the pinnacle of cinematic achievement.
New Ventures and a Film for the Next Century
Currently, Rodriguez is juggling several intriguing projects. Among them is a television adaptation of the 1980s detective classic Cobra, originally starring Sylvester Stallone. Perhaps most fascinating, though, is a film he has directed from a script by John Malkovich. Titled 100 Years, this project is shrouded in secrecy and will not see the light of day until 2115. Marketed as ‘the film you’ll never see’, its contents remain a closely guarded secret, locked away in a bulletproof safe for future generations to discover.