The Amazing Sadie Duarte
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
I have known Sadie Duarte for what seems like a lifetime. She is a hardworking Filmmaker. Producer from Spain. Her bookshelf is filled with all of the awards and nominations she has received. She can be described with just one word: Amazing!!!
Punk Globe: It is so wonderful catching up with you. Are you still centered in Spain? You have done so many films since our last interview. Tell us about them.
Sadie Duarte: It’s always a pleasure to talk to you, Ginger! Yes, I’m still centered in Spain, though it’d be great to work outside my country in the future. I became a filmmaker in 2014 and I’ve done seven films since then: DMUS (a musical drama with an amazing soundtrack by acclaimed composer Jesús Calderón and other artists like Will Sid Smith and Francesca Romana Fabris), Maybe Someday (a melodrama about an old lady with an original soundtrack by Merrick Wells), When the Music Stops Playing (a story which focuses on cerebral palsy with musical arrangements by Fernando García Munera), Blown Away/Enchufados (a comedy about what people could do to get a job – it also includes songs by Will and Francesca), The Lights of Dawn (an emotional story that highlights a meeting between James Dean and Alec Guinness with music by British music composer/singer Daniel Angelus), Between Here and Gone (a musical movie with a great cast and amazing songs by Canadian songwriter/singer Joe Taylor that I co-wrote with Spanish actor Iván Gisbert) and Sheltered from Time (a fantasy film about the myth of Lilith that includes music by songwriter/music producer Eduardo Naya).
Punk Globe: You have won so many awards for your work. Which award are you most proud of?
Sadie Duarte: I’m so grateful to all the festivals that have supported my work throughout the years. It’s so difficult to say because all awards and selections are so important to me. I especially remember the first award I ever received in Spain at FECICAM in Ciudad Real. I had been receiving accolades abroad for a few years but never in my country until that moment. When the festival director announced the winner, I remember shouting out loud: “FINALLY”. I just couldn’t believe it.
Punk Globe: Are you working with a film crew, or do you find independent crews for each project you work on?
Sadie Duarte: I have a film crew, but it depends on the kind of project. I also enjoy working with different people all the time, and I believe that’s so good. There are so many amazing crews in the film industry that it’s best to keep your door open for new talent.
Punk Globe: Do you have actors and actresses that you enjoy that you use in our films?
Sadie Duarte: Secun de la Rosa is a very well-known Spanish actor who worked with me in Blown Away/Enchufados and When the Music Stops Playing. From the very first moment I approached him, he said “yes” without reading the script. That really means a lot to me because I’ve always admired his work. I also had the chance to work with Alfonso Desentre in Between Here and Gone. It was just a supporting role, and I thought he wouldn’t be interested, but he accepted the offer. I also remember the late Amelia Rius, an actress from my hometown who starred in Maybe Someday. She started her acting career in her seventies, and she was absolutely wonderful. Everyone adored her.
Punk Globe: Tell the readers what you are currently working on?
Sadie Duarte: I’m working on a documentary set in Mequinenza (Spain). It’s a beautiful story with an artistic approach that will start the festival circuit in 2026. The original music is by award-winning composer Daniel Angelus. All the tracks are incredibly emotional and absolutely epic. It’s such a gift for me to have Daniel on board after working with him in The Lights of Dawn.
Punk Globe: I know in the past you have worked with musicians. Tell us about that?
Sadie Duarte: I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some of the best, amazing musicians: Jesús Calderón, Will Sid Smith, Francesca Romana Fabris, Fernando García Munera, Merrick Wells, Joe Taylor, Daniel Angelus, Eduardo Naya (aka Dan Barrow), Twelve Boys, ChocoLat… My films wouldn’t be the same without their music.
Punk Globe: Have the tangerine terrorist and his stupid tariffs affected you and your film work there in Spain?
Sadie Duarte: I don’t think there’ll be a major problem for indie filmmakers in Spain because we’ve always had very limited access to the American market anyway. There are many other Spanish companies that might be affected, but I guess we’ll have to evaluate all this in the long run.
Punk Globe: Here in America are dealing with a senile narcissist who is a wanna be dictator who is now hurting all the ignorant fools who voted for him. Has Spain ever had such a leader?
Sadie Duarte: I’m afraid I’ve never been an expert in politics. My opinion is that, in general, for certain politicians – not all, of course – power usually comes first. Even if their actions are honest and good enough, there are always consequences. It’s like taking medicine. A tablet prescribed by your doctor will probably cure any illness you may have, but it also comes with a list of side effects. Ever since the COVID pandemic, we’ve all been trapped inside a non-stop rollercoaster with lots of problems. I’m very much concerned about social issues in Spain and how prices are rising all the time. I’m also worried that many people don’t seem to respect any opinions. Whatever you post on social media, especially if it’s controversial, you should be careful if you don’t want to end up reading loads of spiteful comments. That’s why I always avoid posting anything related to politics or religion. This is not the kind of happy world that I imagined when I was a child, but seeing how things go, I’m afraid there’s not much we can do about it.
Punk Globe: We became friends through our mutual friend Nikki Palomino. Are you still in contact with her?
Sadie Duarte: Nikki and I have been friends and follow each other on social media since then. I’ll always be grateful to you, Ginger Coyote, and Nikki for allowing me to promote my musical movie DMUS when I started my career as a filmmaker. It’s not easy to find generous people like you both these days, and I really appreciate your kindness and support.
Punk Globe: Have you ever worked on a film that was shot in America or Canada?
Sadie Duarte: Working on any American or Canadian film would be a dream come true. To be honest, a small part of my first movie DMUS was shot in LA by Steve Royall, starring Tiffany Daniels, Elia Cantu, Bahia Gold, Michelle Talley, Aneiszka Sea, Alexa Blanks and Brie Carter. Steve wrote and directed the American scenes at the end of the film and he did an excellent job. My idea was for all the characters to be connected and the final result was quite good. We had two crews working together in the USA and Spain at the same time and I really enjoyed working with so many artists.
Punk Globe: Do you have any Internet addresses that you want to share with the readers?
Sadie Duarte: It’s always best to contact me via my social media.
Instagram & Threads: @duartesadie
X: @sadieduarte
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
Punk Globe: Any final words for the readers of Punk Globe?
Sadie Duarte: Stand up and fight for your dreams. It’s your life, and the right moment to change things is NOW!
