“It was the most complex project of my entire career.”

After 13 nominations Goya Awardsincluding Best Picture and Best Director, “snow community” Nominated for Oscars 2024 In the categories of Best International Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Margareta Huguet (Mahon, 1980) is the production director of this film, which could bring the highest international honor in the seventh art to Spain.

What challenges did filming a film like “The Snow Society” pose for you as a production director and how do you feel about the result?

The result is unbeatable. It is, in my view, flawless work in every sense of the word. The challenge was enormous at all levels, the level of demand and ambition Jose Antonio Bayona is the maximum. To this we must add shooting in the snow – which greatly complicates daily life – logistics, security and exposure to extreme weather conditions on a daily basis. Working and coordinating with a human team of more than 400 people filming in 4 countries, with a huge crew that, in addition to acting, underwent a strict weight-loss diet… Anyway, I think this is the most complex project ever. My career so far.

How did you decide to join photography at that time?

During my career, I have already worked with “J” (Bayona) on several occasions: “El Orfanato”, “Lo Imposible” and “A Monster Comes to See Me”. In fact, in all of his films except “Jurassic World,” “Fallen Kingdom,” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” which were American productions. Many team members who accompanied him in his Spanish productions collaborated again on this project.

Let's talk a little about audiovisual production in Menorca. Do you think there is a thriving market in this sector, especially after the film “Faro” by Angeles Fernandez?

I'm afraid not. Yes, I see interest at institutional level, associations, and island artists, with the recent creation of the Menorca Film Commission, but unfortunately it is not enough to place Menorca in a market that can be compared to other places in Spain, which have always been more competitive. In the larger cities on the peninsula, there are equipment rental companies, construction businesses, trained technicians, post-production companies, and sets.

What support does this sector need on the island to continue to grow?

There needs to be a tax assistance policy like that in the Canary Islands to make Minorca an attractive destination for producers and platforms. Without this incentive, it is difficult for this sector to grow, because on an economic level, going out to shoot outside the peninsula is not profitable, as you have to add accommodation and equipment maintenance to the budgets, which must necessarily come from abroad. There is no industry or human resources on the island. It is true that there are more and more trained technicians on the island, but in order to work and continue in this sector they must leave the island.

Are you thinking about new projects for 2024?

I start this first quarter of 2024 resting. After “The Snow Society,” which I worked on for about two years, I did another series project for Netflix for 10 months. After several years without vacations, I finally have a few months off and take the opportunity to start my new life in Minorca after 22 years of living in Barcelona. After resting, I will evaluate the next project.