An Insight into Anna Terrazas’ Career and Experiences
Anna Terrazas, a costume designer with a career rooted in both Mexico and the U.S., has contributed her talents to a diverse array of projects, including notable films and series such as Roma, The Deuce, Bardo – False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, and her latest work, Eddington.
During an interview with Deadline at the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra project, an event designed to nurture film talent, Terrazas shared her unease about traveling to the U.S. recently, particularly in light of the political climate following Donald Trump’s presidency and his critical stance towards Mexico.
Returning to New Mexico to work on Eddington, Terrazas expressed her apprehension, “It was my first time returning since Trump became president. Despite holding an O1 visa for nearly 15 years, I felt a tinge of fear about being allowed entry into the U.S. or facing potential questioning.”
She continued, emphasizing the paradox of her situation, “I experienced fear despite having the privilege of a visa.”
At the Qumra event, Terrazas joined other esteemed figures such as Walter Salles and Lav Diaz as a Qumra Master, where she delivered a masterclass and offered guidance on several projects.
Since taking office, Trump has enacted policies and made declarations that have heightened tensions, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, threatening Mexico with high trade tariffs, and making derogatory claims about Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s alleged connections to drug cartels.
Reflecting on the broader context, Terrazas remarked, “It felt surreal. I seemed to be the only Mexican who was questioning these developments. The film industry seemed inactive despite these significant political actions, and the flow of U.S. projects into Mexico has slowed down considerably.”
Eddington: A Blend of Dark Comedy and Western Thriller
The film Eddington features a stellar cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone. It portrays a power struggle in a small New Mexico town during a pandemic. Terrazas reflected on the exciting production dynamics, “Working with Ari [the director] and the entire team was phenomenal. Emma Stone’s performance was particularly remarkable.”
Discussing potential filming locations, Terrazas added, “We even considered shooting in Mexico. The locations were ideal, but the cost implications were too high. We decided to build the set where we filmed, capturing the authentic essence of New Mexico.”
Before her work on Eddington, Terrazas collaborated on Pedro Páramo alongside Eugenio Caballero, notable for their work together on Roma. The film is an epic of magic realism set between the 1870s and 1920s in Mexico, exploring the tumultuous history of the town Comala.
For this project, Terrazas managed the creation of over 5,000 costume pieces, working closely with local artisans to authentically recreate the period’s textile and fashion. She praised Netflix for their support, “They really pushed us to achieve the vision we had for the project, giving us the time needed to deeply research and collaborate effectively with the artisans.”
Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently announced plans to invest significantly in Mexican cinema, further showcasing a hand-crafted shawl used in Pedro Páramo during a presentation to President Sheinbaum.
The costumes from the film were showcased at Mexico’s “Original” textile art event and are set to tour internationally.
Earlier, Terrazas conducted a masterclass where she discussed her work on The Deuce, Roma, and Bardo, emphasizing the collaborative nature of her role with cinematographers and production designers.
She also reminisced about her early work on Gael García Bernal’s Déficit and Carlos Cuarón’s Rudo y Cursi, touching on the personal connections and experiences that enriched these projects.
While Terrazas has worked extensively with notable directors like Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu, she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to collaborate with Guillermo del Toro, rounding out her experiences with the acclaimed “Three Amigos” of Mexican cinema.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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