How Camilo Lara helped Pixar turn Coco from PR disaster to Oscar triumph

Interview by Andy Gregory

Pixar's latest animated movie Coco was another global, tear-jerking hit at cinemas, charming audiences and picking up Oscars.

Telling the heartwarming tale of Miguel, a young Mexican boy on a quest through the Land of the Dead to gain his family's blessing to play music, it is now the highest grossing film in Mexican history and claimed the Academy Awards for 'Best Animated Feature' and 'Best Original Song'.

But it wasn't always destined to be this way.

Things got off to a shaky start when parent company Disney attempted to trademark Mexican festival 'Día De Los Muertos' - not unlike attempting to trademark Christmas - and drew ire from many prominent Mexican artists and commentators.

A team of experts were hastily assembled in order to avoid any such future mistakes.

Esteemed Mexican musician Camilo Lara was one such expert, brought on board as a cultural advisor alongside artist Lalo Alcaraz, who had previously been a particularly vocal (and visual) critic.

By working with Pixar's Hollywood team, the pair were able to infuse the film with cultural integrity.

'It was properly handled by Pixar'

Diplomatically, albeit sincerely, Lara says he believes the controversy "was properly handled by Pixar", adding that the film was "always meant to be a love letter to Mexico."

Coco boldly weaves darker elements into a music-infused animation that has the ability to delight, entertain and move both children and adults to tears.

Notably, he goes on to commend Pixar's bravery in making a movie that celebrates Mexico in a post-Trump world.

"In the most anti-Mexican year in the United States, it is very brave to have a movie that portrays Mexico as a good thing.

"I think it was really helpful for Mexicans in the States and Mexicans in general, delivered in the Trump years."

Lara's first became involved with Coco when the director, Lee Unkrich, contacted him on Facebook.

"First I needed to help him navigate all the different rhythms from Mexico...to understand the geography of the music," he explains.

Lara then helped with arrangement and production of the songs that permeate Coco, including Oscar-winner 'Remember Me'.

He also assisted composer Michael Giacchino (Up, Star Wars: Rogue One), to "marinate his music with the Mexican influence".

A 'Mexican Obi-Wan Kenobi'

A glance at Lara's credentials show why he was such an essential part of making Coco a success.

At 15 he started working at EMI Mexico and by the time he left at 25, he was head of the label.

"Because they kept firing people, I ended up being the boss," he jokes. "I had to have a job to buy records, so for me the most logical thing was to be in a record company."