Pull Focus: Bernardo Ruiz

By: Bryan Bello, Eva Harder and Natalie Plumb

Bernardo Ruiz [1] is a renowned director and producer who has contributed to numerous award-winning documentaries with Latino themes. His latest film "Reportero" tells the story of a veteran reporter and his colleagues at an independent newsweekly who defy powerful drug cartels and corrupt officials to continue reporting the news.

Ruiz is also the director and producer of "American Experience: Roberto Clemente" (PBS, 2008) and the co-producer of "The Sixth Section" (P.O.V.). As a director and producer for hire, he directed programs for PBS, MTV, the Discovery Networks, Travel Channel, Planet Green and the National Geographic Channel. He founded "Quiet Pictures" in 2007 to create a platform for more activist documentary films.

Ruiz recounts his experiences filming in Tijuana, providing insight into Mexico's current state of affairs and the reaction "Reportero" has acquired in these regions and internationally. Watch his interview unfold and check out the film's website [1] for more information. 

Bernardo Ruiz explains how Reportero was first conceptualized:

Ruiz talks about the difficulties maintaining objectivism when envelopped in making a film:

Ruiz discusses the potential dangers of making a film of this kind, especially in Tijuana, Mexico, as well as the reception it got when released there:

The filmmaker says his hopes were to bring the key concepts of his film to an international community and to reframe the perspective of a local issue:

Ruiz details the balance: Is it journalism, activism, filmmaking, or all three?

Ruiz admits moments of defeat:

Ruiz discusses the future for "Zeta," a newsweekly out of Tijuana, Mexico:

Ruiz responds to the last line of 'Reportero': "Impunity prevails in Mexico. Is it worthy to continue this line of work, or should we just walk away?"

Ruiz discusses the new administration in Mexico and what having a new Mexican president, Enrique Pena Nieto, could mean for journalists:

Ruiz talks about how fans can engage with the blog via a blog, its website and other means:

Ruiz talks specifically about the "modest experiment" of implementing a blog into "Reportero":

Ruiz talks about his next steps in filmmaking: