Aitch Alberto’s New Film is Her “Life’s Work”

Aitch Alberto’s film, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, is a coming-of-age story, a tale of queer love, and an exploration of Mexican identity. Above all, it’s about truth and finding a voice that reflects your truth, even when obstacles stand in the way.

For the film’s protagonist, Ari, that includes familial disappointment, aggression, communication troubles, and a festering fear of himself. Dante — more eclectic, outspoken, and better acquainted with the truth — offers Ari emotional tools, by merely living authentically. In return, Ari offers Dante loyalty, protection, and frequent rides in his truck. Together, they discover that their differences are their superpowers, their similarities reflections of themselves. And, eventually, their friendship is strong enough to turn to love (well, Ari finally finds the strength to meet Dante at his level of truth).

Ari’s and Dante’s families fill in the story with rich nuance. These supporting characters showcase how the ones who love us come out with us, at their own time and in their own styles. Toward the end of the film, on their front porch, when Ari’s father finally speaks up, you will be brought to tears. He just couldn’t bear witness to his son’s self-created loneliness any longer. It didn’t matter what kinds of expectations were being broken anymore. Ari was meant to love Dante, and even he knew it.

Though set in 1987 El Paso, there is something contemporary about these characters, something relatable that makes this story current and necessary. Aristotle and Dante not only blends queer joy and queer pain, but tells a simple and relatable story made beautiful by its specificness in style.

We sat down with director Aitch Alberto for a closer look at where this film falls in her journey as a filmmaker.

*        *        *

Exclusive Q & A with Aitch Alberto

When you were first emerging as an artist, when was the moment you realized you wanted to be a director?

Well, I acted for a really long time. I didn’t know that you could have a career in directing and writing because I never had seen anybody like me doing it. So, I was really immersed in the acting world, which was my pursuit for many years, until I was at an audition and realized my heart wasn’t in it anymore (as far as acting went) and what I really wanted to pursue was directing and writing, so then I started to shift my attention to that. […] It almost felt like it was kismet. I felt like I had found my purpose. So, yeah, things started slowly evolving. I started making my own short films, writing my own projects. And then I found Aristotle and Dante, and that became my life’s work.

Describe your mission as an artist.

My mission as an artist is to tell stories about people that are not only a reflection of me, but a reflection of people I love, that celebrates the nuance of everything we are, which is not often what we see. And it’s moving beyond the narrative of stories solely fueled by our identity. I think it informs our perspective, but it is [not the whole] story.

How do you like telling queer stories?

I think that question goes hand-in-hand with the previous question. I [could tell] any story, not just queer stories. But I think when it comes to telling stories about marginalized groups, it’s important not to portray it as if we’re a monolith — because I think we’re so much more.

[…] There’s definitely a rise of stories about the Latino community, about the trans community, and about the queer community in general that feel a lot more grounded and a lot more about other things rather than, again, our identity, which is very refreshing. It’s because we’re telling our own stories, which is not what we’ve done in the past.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your career? How did you overcome it?

I think I am still facing challenges and will always be facing challenges. I think something that’s become really freeing for me is the realization that there’s no arrival at anything, there’s no landing, no end-goal — it’s sort of constantly evolving. So, I don’t want to say I’ve overcome anything.

But, as of right now, a real big challenge that has sprung up when it comes to telling the stories I want to tell is exactly what I’ve been talking about: I think the industry and people who have an aversion to fear are afraid of telling stories that diverge from what we’ve seen before. When it comes specifically to Latino stories, it’s often “the immigrant family” or “the disapproving dad”, and it feels risky for some of these folks who are financing these things to sort of understand that. No one wants to be the first at anything. So, I think that’s what’s been a challenge: guiding people to move beyond the narratives we’ve seen redundantly.

How does Aristotle and Dante fit into your journey as a creative? Why this story?

That’s a really good question. This book and this story have accompanied me in a real way alongside my own trajectory as a human being, which, in turn, informs me as an artist.

I transitioned through the process of making this film. It’s been a 9-year journey. I always thought I was a Dante, but I realized I was really an Ari. I was so afraid of walking through my truth but knowing exactly that that was the thing holding me back. And once I did, it was like an entire universe opened up, which is very similar to specifically Aristotle’s journey in the story. […]

Once I made that realization, I think I was really ready to tell the story … rooted in love and empathy and compassion, in a way that I don’t think I always had for myself. But, through this story, I was able to give not only myself that [love] but these characters that [love] and, hopefully, in turn, people who see themselves in these characters and in this story.

Has making Aristotle and Dante changed your directorial approach to future films?

I think I’ve learned a lot. I know what to ask for. (Again, no arrival at anything; I’m ever-evolving and always really open to learning and growing as an artist and as a filmmaker). What it did affirm is always surround yourself with people [who] are really good at their jobs, because then it makes for really successful and fun collaboration. […]

But that’s where I am right now. I think that answer will change a couple of years from now, or even tomorrow.

From your view, what makes a good director great? What elements do you bring to your process that set you apart?

These questions are really good. I think that I have a certain sensitivity to the way I look at the world. And I think that it’s very intuitive and very empathic, in a way. So, I think that translates through my lens, and it’s shining a lens on communities and stories that we don’t often see in front of the camera and that we don’t always see through a gentle gaze. So, I think that’s specific to me.

I think my lived experience is also something that informs the way I approach storytelling. I think I’m a very emotional human, and so my approach to filmmaking is also very emotional, and I like that about myself. Some people might think that’s a weakness, but I think that’s my strength. It’s also very important for me to surround myself with people who have a different, less emotional approach to the craft. I really found that in my director of photography. He’s very academic, so it made for a really wonderful partnership.

I think what makes a great director great is saying when you don’t know something. I was never afraid to ask questions to people who have done it a lot more than I have, and if there was a question that I was asked, I sometimes said I didn’t know, and we would figure it out together.

What can we expect from you next?

Hopefully, we get through this strike, and AI doesn’t take over filmmaking and storytelling. But I’m attached to really lovely stories. One is a sci-fi grounded romance, and the other is a true story about a woman named Rachel Harlow, also a romance. So, I think love will continue to be in my filmography.

*        *        *

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe premieres in theatres on September 8, 2023. Also, don’t miss Aitch Alberto and lead actor Reese Gonzalez on this season of The Q Agenda.