This video serves as a poignant reflection of the current state of my country, Venezuela, which has undergone significant changes from a once-free and prosperous nation to one in decay and longing for its former glory.
To capture the essence of a bygone era in Caracas, we incorporated borrowed footage, paying homage to the golden era of the city in the 1960s and 1950s. The footage was carefully processed, printed on paper, and then scanned at 12 frames per second to achieve a timeless newspaper halftone effect.
Despite the budget limitations, which amounted to approximately $800, I was able to create this video by leveraging the talent and dedication of respected cinematographers in both Venezuela and Mexico City.
They graciously donated their time to bring this project to life.
The production process itself was an adventure, taking place in Caracas. It involved navigating through the challenges of engaging in some unconventional methods, such as flying drones illegally and negotiating with local gangs to gain access to one of Latin America's most notorious cemeteries.
This project holds great personal significance to me, as it represents the emotions of an immigrant who gazes back at their homeland with a mixture of anguish and the realization that returning is not a viable option on the horizon.
The response to the video has been truly unexpected, evoking emotional reactions from Venezuelans who have expressed how it moved them to tears and stirred feelings of melancholy.
Written & Directed by: Joaquin Salim
Edited by: José Ostos
Cinematography by: Edwin Corona R.
Produced by: Capitolio
Post-Production: Caffeine Post
Music video created for the Grammy nominated and Latin Grammy wining band, La Vida Boheme. The music video tells the story of a corrupt policeman who steals from citizens by abusing his power. This is a sad everyday reality for Latin Americans and in Venezuela is referred to called “Matraqueo” The video was shot at 16fps in Caracas, Venezuela with pickups in New York and Mexico City.
Written and Directed by Joaquin Salim | Edit by José Ostos | Cinematography by Edwin Corona Ramos | Produced by Capitølio.co
LA VIDA BOHEME “ACCIÓN”
ACCIÓN was another quarantine project with zero resources two of my best friends and I managed to create a crazy music video for the Grammy nominated and Latin Grammy winning Venezuelan band, La Vida Boheme.
LA VIDA BOHEME “ACCIÓN” | Directed by Joaquin Salim | Cinematography by Basil Fauchier | Edit by Basil Fauchier | Produced by CAPITOLIO CCS | Music by La Vida Boheme
MAKING OFF
AVA CASAS “EL SILLÓN”
EL SILLÓN was another quarantine music video created for re-known Venezuelan musician Ava Casas and for a single on his debut album as a solo musician.
AVA CASAS “EL SILLÓN” | Directed by Joaquin Salim | Cinematography by Isaac | Edit by Joaquin Salim | Produced by CAPITOLIO CCS | Music by Ava Casas
WE SHOT WITH IPHONES AND USED THE VIEWFINDER OF DISPOSABLE CAMERAS TO CREATE AN INTERESTING LENSE DISTORTION AND NOSTALGIC SENSE OF DEPTH
ARAWATO “SUPLENTES”
A couple of months ago I was supposed to go direct a music video but COVID-19 happened. While stuck in my house during quarantine I decided to make the music video one way or the other, so I went to the scanner and made the film frame by frame, no vfx, no transitions, no color correction. From my hand, to the scanner, to the timeline. Cut it all together, borrowed some found footage and made this
ARAWATO “SUPLENTES” | Directed by Joaquin Salim | Edit by Joaquin Salim | Music by Arawato
MAKING OF
“PALMERA DEL DESIERTO”
Co-Directed the music video for “Palmera del Desierto”, which uses a lot of elements from the artwork I have created for the band over the years. Below the film and some stills from it.
