Alejandra Díaz Olvera (born September 12, 1991, in Toluca, State of Mexico) is a filmmaker, visual artist, and writer. She studied film at the École Supérieure d’Études Cinématographiques in Paris and CENTRO in Mexico City. Her first short film, “Seven Questions About Twenty-Seven,” was screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s film market in 2016. She has won literary awards, including second place in the XII Historical Short Story Contest at Universidad Iberoamericana. Her visual art has been showcased in various galleries in Mexico City, such as EM Art Gallery and Unión Gallery, and she has participated in several artist residencies. Since 2019, she has been working on her feature film “Comet 1600,” which explores the challenges of the current climate crisis, blending scientific and spiritual themes.
Director Statement

Like many others, I was captivated by butterflies, which often appear in my thoughts and artistic creations. Even when I ignore them, they always return, and I’ve always wanted to understand them. I’ve seen how they change my surroundings and my spirit. When they appear, the clouds move gradually, sounds become sharper, and colors become more intense. These landscapes leave a lasting impression on my senses and soul. I am never the same.

Butterflies play a vital role in life through pollination, which brings us fruits and, consequently, fragrances, flavors, and aesthetic experiences. They also maintain ecological balance and bring a sense of mysticism. I wonder if dreams and butterflies are connected, as dreams stem from sensory experiences. How would poetry, art, and human relationships be without tasting an apple or an orange or seeing plants?

There are fewer butterflies now, mainly due to deforestation and climate change. As a filmmaker, I find it essential to highlight issues that can be solved through cooperation and empathy. We must tackle obstacles like racism, misogyny, and classism. These exclusionary and discriminatory social dynamics affect resource distribution, equitable decision-making, and access to opportunities. Governments often prioritize resource exploitation and hinder scientific projects, while activism threatens political and business leaders by exposing the abuses against ecosystems and people.

Cometa 1600 is an audiovisual essay aimed at connecting the audience with nature. In the film, I proposed a hypothesis called Pneuma, suggesting that our dreams are linked to butterfly migrations, especially those of the monarchs. To explore this idea, I used three narrative forms: documentary, experimental, and fiction.

The experimental part created sensory experiences with abstract images representing atoms, cells, and our essence as living beings. We used a special kaleidoscope designed for the film to capture these images. This kaleidoscope, an invention used by the film’s characters, mimics how butterflies see. Their eyes (ommatidia) view the world as a kaleidoscope with countless facets.

On the other hand, the documentary part recorded the current state of nature, its beauty, interactions, and the damage caused by pollution and climate change.

Also, the fiction part told the struggles of environmental scientists and journalists through the perspectives of the main characters (Emilio, Isabel, Ingrid). The actors gave their testimonies through simulated interviews and live broadcasts.

Alejandra Díaz Olvera Director Seven Questions About Being Twenty-seven

Alejandra Díaz Olvera Writer

Norma Alicia Olvera Herber Producer

Fernando Bernal Key Cast “Emilio Borges”

Gloria Castro Key Cast “Isabel Guzmán”

Andrea Barbier Key Cast “Ingrid Martínez”

Alfonso Miranda Key Cast “Dr. Felipe Mejía”

Luca Bresciani Key Cast “Vittorio Vanoni”

Ana Isabel Durán Fonseca Director of photography

María Bárbara Martínez Pérez Additional Film Photography

Alejandra Díaz Olvera Additional Film Photography

Alejandra Díaz Olvera Direct Sound

Daniela Díaz Olvera Direct Sound

Mariana Lecanda Direct Sound

Juan Garcini Original Score

José Rendón Santana Original Score

Roberto Reynoso Sound Post-Production

Abraham López Sound Post-Production

Áxel Nájera Sound Post-Production

Arturo Luna Sound Post-Production

Alejandra Díaz Olvera Editing

Ana Isabel Durán Fonseca Color correction