Watch: The Mars Volta’s Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Directs And Stars In Indie Film
By Seraphina L.
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is mostly known for being the the former guitarist for At The Drive-In and currently for the critically acclaimed, progressive rock group, The Mars Volta. Although his partnership in The Mars Volta is usually vocalized by singer, Cedric Beixler-Zavala, it looks like Rodriguez-Lopez has found another way to channel his artistry. The guitarist has recently not only directed but also starred in an independent film titled The Sentimental Engine Slayer.
The film, which premieres at the International Film Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands, has a story line that seems to be a bit autobiographical considering it is based in his hometown, El Paso, Texas. Like any other rock star film, it also involves a story line which twists around drugs, sex and youth.
When most make a film, there is a message or a story that needs to be told out of some type of necessity. Then there are people like Rodriguez-Lopez who told Wired.com that he didn’t really think of the film as that big of a deal until it was set to premiere at a festival:
“I never intended to do anything with this film besides go through the process, learn from it and then move on to the next. Now that I’m dealing with the reality that it is getting invited to these festivals, and that the film is no longer ‘mine,’ I am nervous as all hell!”
The Mars Volta guitarist plays the lead character who goes by the name of Barlem, although he didn’t intentionally plan on acting in the film:
“My lead actor pulled out a week before filming began. Understandably, as he was offered another job that could actually pay him! And I was forced to take on the role or cancel the film.”
You can watch a clip from The Sentimental Engine Slayer below!
What do you think of Rodriguez-Lopez’s directing and acting skills?
