Los Frikis: A Spanish-Language Film Worth Watching
By Quelynda Taveras
Set in 1990s Cuba, Los Frikis tells the story of reserved 18-year old Gustavo (Eros de la Puente) and his rebellious older brother, Paco (Héctor Medina), as they navigate a communist society in which HIV was rampant and rock music was banned by Fidel Castro. Gustavo looks up to Paco, who, despite Castro’s ban, is in a rock band called “Los Frikis” (The Freaks). The brothers endured a desperate time in which hundreds of people intentionally injected themselves with HIV-infected blood, in hopes they would be sent to a sanctuary for a better life. Faced with poverty and hunger, Paco and Gustavo are among the people who make this choice. The majority of the film centers on Gustavo’s experience in the sanctuary, where he and his brother connect with other HIV patients. This film tells a true story, one that many people, including myself, had never heard of.
Hollywood stars have been moderating discussions after screenings of Los Frikis to get the film the attention it deserves. I had the pleasure of watching Los Frikis on December 20th, 2024, in the Times Square AMC Theater. This particular screening featured a Q&A session with the director of the film, Michael Schwartz, moderated by Ben Stiller. Schwartz’s body language was distinctly humble as he told Stiller and the audience about the film’s creation. He was evidently proud and excited about his work, and justifiably so.
From left to right: Paco (Héctor Medina) and Gustavo (Eros de la Puente)
The acting in the film was so raw, it felt like I was watching history play out before my eyes. In fact, a lot of the actors were casted organically; this is arguably what made the film so authentic. The star of the film, Eros de la Puente, was discovered on the streets of Cuba. A casting director was on a WhatsApp video call, de la Puente simply looked at the camera, and the creators were captured by his essence. The film was de la Puente’s first role, and the first movie he ever saw in theaters.
In terms of de la Puente’s on-screen brother, Héctor Medina couldn’t be more different from his character. While Paco is loud, reckless, and unapologetically himself, Medina is actually very quiet. Originally a screenwriting consultant for Los Frikis, after working on the script, Medina told the creators he wanted to be featured in the film. They said he’d get a line, but he told them he wanted to play Paco. He proved himself, earning the role and even losing 30 pounds for it. He truly became Paco. Medina has an incredible way of getting audiences to grow very familiar with his character. Because of this, watching Paco’s trajectory throughout the film was both breathtaking and heartbreaking.
The historical events of Los Frikis took place over 30 years ago, but this film represents a true story worth telling today. Cubans don’t receive a lot of representation in the media, and the perspectives portrayed in this film have many layers: the story is historical, comical, and dramatic, all at once. You fall in love with the characters, empathize with them while they’re facing life-altering struggles, and root for them to find a way out. Los Frikis is about finding family, even in a world of misfortune. This film made me laugh and it almost made me cry.
At the end of the Q&A session, the director, Michael Schwartz, said he had one request for the audience: spread the word about the film so people show out for the next screenings. This will allow the film to reach audiences beyond New York. With that being said, this is me highly recommending Los Frikis. I believe it deserves all the Academy Awards in the world. Los Frikis will become a phenomenon, mark my words.
