Meet Domenicca Botero | Film Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Domenicca Botero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Domenicca, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Miami, Florida, from an Ecuadorian mother and a Colombian father. I moved to Mexico City, Mexico from the ages of eight to sixteen, before eventually coming back to the U.S. to continue school and begin a career in filmmaking. My work is rooted in the exploration of identity and belonging shaped by my upbringing. Being the only U.S.-born citizen in my family has made me bicultural and bilingual, but it has also left me to grapple with a sense of displacement. In Mexico, I was the “gringa” in school, while here in the U.S., I struggle to be seen as anything other than an outsider. The dual citizenships of my parent’s have added another layer of identity confusion to the mix. From an American’s perspective, one could easily characterize me as simply “Latina” and call it a day, but the reality is each latin American country is filled to the brim with their own culture, customs, and conventions, and to annihilate any of my roots for the sake of a quicker label would be a disservice to all the people and places that have made me who I am today.

I think as I’ve grown older, I have become fonder of the idea that I can be from everywhere and nowhere all at once. “Ni de aquí, ni de allá” is a Spanish phrase I wear with pride, meaning “neither from here nor from there”. I choose to live by the belief that who I am today was shaped by the best parts of the places I’ve resided in, and the best traits from the people i surround myself with.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’d like to believe that both my upbringing as an immigrant and my background in the art department give me a unique perspective in filmmaking. Growing up between cultures, I learned to see the world through multiple lenses, but my career in the film industry, more specifically my time in the art department, taught me to apply these unique perspectives into visual elements that elevate storytelling through small details. I pour a lot of time and love into what I do, I believe that if you do things with great care, it will show. I also grew up reading magical realism; that opened my eyes to the reality that life is full of magical moments we take for granted everyday. The ordinary is already extraordinary to me, so in my mind, ideas that may be considered abstract are actually mundane.

Lately I’ve been focusing on directing music videos. They’re exciting, I enjoy making them because it’s a space where I’m allowed to make non-linear stories free of judgement. I can create liminal spaces as setups that don’t need to be tethered to reality but can rather just be beautiful for the sake of it. I’d rather focus on the theme or meaning of the song and work from there, rather than create a generic plot line that might fit with the lyrics on paper, but don’t truly evoke emotions. A while ago I think I was trying harder to fit within a certain genre or make content that aligned with what I thought was the correct pathway towards becoming a filmmaker, but now that I’ve worked in the industry for a few years, I’ve learned to listen to my gut a bit more and hone in on concepts that excite me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love going to the movies, Plaza Theater is the first place I recommend to everyone. It was built in 1939 and has a beautiful Art Deco interior. The staff is always lovely and their movie selections are always varied and interesting. From 35mm showings, to the latest Hollywood blockbusters, to foreign independent films, it was one of the first places I visited when I first moved to Atlanta and I’ve become a frequent visitor ever since.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom, grandmother, and brother are the only family I really have left. My grandfather passed away in 2020 but I would add him to this list too. They are not only my family, but also my biggest fans. They support all my endeavors and applaud every achievement, no matter how small. I dedicate everything I do to them and hope to one day make it big so that I can take care of them just as they have for me. It saddens me to miss them, until I remember how lucky I am to have heart aches over loving someone so much.

Website: https://www.domeniccabotero.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_domenicca_/