Luna Makes Helming Debut with ‘Abel’

He’ll be inevitably compared in both his acting and now, directing career to Y tu mamá también/Rudo Y Cursi counterpart Gael Garcia Bernal. Bernal who made his social class structure, pool yard debut with Déficit, has since fallen back to playing in front of the camera, while Diego Luna’s film schooling has included Julian Schnabel, Julie Taymor, Steven Spielberg, Harmony Korine, the Cuaron brothers and most recently, Gus Van Sant (who coincidentally is also in the headlines for a studio project).

At this point we aren’t sure of Luna will also play in front of the camera, but Variety reports that Jose Maria Yazpik will star in Abel – a family drama told from child’s perspective. Canana Films, the Bernal/Luna production house are teaming on the low budget Mexico-shot indie with producer Pablo Cruz, and Abel will be co-produced by Malkovich’s Mr. Mudd banner. Yazpik has starred in many films with Luna – oo many to bother listing here. Filming is currently underway in Aguascalientes and Mexico City’s Churubusco Studios. If Luna literally follows the same course as Bernal’s first film, then we can expect to see this preem during Cannes Critic’s Week.