Flying Fish Over Mexico
(2004-2005, Spain/Mexico, 60:00)
Theater-dance
SYNOPSIS Flying Fish Over Mexico visual theater-dance exploring the origins of humans and the Mexican identity. The story follows two parallel plots. The love of Gondwana and Laurasia, the two continents in which the original megacontinent Pangea split up, and views of Mexican cultures. As a physical and emotional mirror of both: Butoh, Japanese avant-garde dance, shows inner meanings: the search of love inside humans and the search of a common identity in a nation’s soul.
CAST Endless Lovers: Leopoldo Rivera, María Sandoval I White Dancers: Denise Barber, Rolando Martínez, Nadia Zúñiga, Adrián Hernández, Rodrigo Leal, César Rodríguez, Francia Castañeda, Sergio Solís I Wise Children: Roberto Castelló Lima, Tamara Henaine I Original Souls: Rafael Furlong, Rosario Dávila
CREW Director/writer/producer: Pedro Valiente I Choreographer: Evelia Kochen I Producer: Guadalupe Lima I Assistant director: Leopoldo Rivera I Assistant choreographer: Adrián Ladrón I Stage coordinators: Óscar Pérez, Griselda Pérez I Stage assistant: Aaroon Buendía I Costume/Make up: Flying Fish Work I Technical director: Jesús Treviño I Technical coordinator: Sue Ellen Bernal I Camera operators: Juan Carlos Bonilla, I Víctor Manuel Vega, Liliana Cortés I Lighting: Miguel Ángel Tavera I Visual coordinator: Rodrigo del Campo I Video: Bruno Schauwecker I Sound coordinator/public relations: Luís García TECH INFO Running time: 60:00 I Year: 2004-2005 I Language: Spanish I Genre: Visual theater-dance I Country: Spain/Mexico I © 2004-2005 Flying Fish Work
A production by Flying Fish Work, co-produced by Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico State, 2004, and National Center for the Arts (National Theater School, Teatro Salvador Novo) Mexico City, 2005. I Behance
“This multimedia performance blends theater, dance, and visual art in a world where myth and reality intertwine. With a dreamlike narrative steeped in Mexican culture, it invites emotional and intellectual engagement. Characters embody universal archetypes. Visuals play like living paintings. And poetic dialogue takes this fantastic tale into a multi-layered universe.”
Trailer (3:46) by Bruno Schauwecker at Tecnológico de Monterrey
Trailer
“What connects Pangea, Mexico, and Asia? The early history of continents and their migrations tells us that the first settlers of the Americas arrived through the Bering Strait from Asia. But beyond history, we imagine a world where the ancient peoples of the Americas rediscover their Oriental essence. In this vision, time bends, and events unfold in a singular moment in the Universe’s history —an era before eagles and snakes (the symbols of the Mexican flag). A magical age when flying fish soared over Mexico, and the first Mexicans gazed into the future, dreaming of what was to come. Endless Lovers —Gondwana and Laurasia— are reborn through time and space as men and women who cannot stop loving. Wise Children, perhaps Indigo souls, illuminate the world with their blazing blue light, flowing endlessly through encounters and separations. White Dancers embody the cycle of birth, life, and death through Butoh, expressing the raw intimacy of existence. Original Souls, the elder narrators, give voice to pre-Hispanic visions of Mexico’s genesis and the origins of human life. Flying Fish Over Mexico, a journey through time, myth, and the eternal dance of creation.” — PV
REFERENCE I Writing in New York a PhD dissertation on director/artist Robert Wilson, Pedro Valiente volunteered for The Hairy Ape by the Wooster Group at Selwyn Theatre, New York I VIDEO © Hamlet I the Wooster Group
VISUAL THEATER






















Premiere at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico State
VISUALS
Pedro Valiente shifted from working as director of International Relations at New York Film Academy to start teaching for the first time ever as PhD visiting lecturer at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City. Besides covering courses on Filmmaking, Television, and Visual Narratives, Pedro directed Flying Fish Over Mexico at Culture Program (Área de Cultura), visual theater that premiered in November 2004 at the Auditorium of Mexico State campus.
TECNOLÓGICO DE MONTERREY
Pedro Valiente contributed to a joint program for the first time in their history the National Center for the Arts (CNA) and Tecnológico de Monterrey. BA Communication senior students took production and leading characters as National Theater School senior students did the dance segments. The play was staged on February 2005 at Salvador Novo Theater, Mexico City. [Centro Nacional de las Artes, Escuela Nacional de Teatro, Teatro Salvador Novo] I Photo: Behance Booklet I Flyer I Tec I CNA
NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
“Choreographer and professor Evelia Kochen did an extraordinary work bringing dance to students in the National Theater School at CNA. Later, cast members created theater companies such as Nadia Zúñiga (El Ensamble, Teatro Playback Barcelona), Francia Castañeda (Teatro Entre2), and Adrián Hernández (Teatro Al Vacío). Sue Ellen Bernal became a state congresswoman. Luís García, Bruno Schauwecker, and Víctor Vega developed relevant careers in communications. Leopoldo Rivera became CEO, and health master. Flying Fish Over Mexico was the start of a path that took us to work together at Televisa, and Cancun Riviera Maya International Film Festival. They’re close friends and partners in life. Guadalupe Lima was an essential creative/producing force in all these projects in Mexico. Thank you all.” — PV I Behance
BACKSTAGE
National Center for the Arts
— Rehearsals at Escuela Nacional de Teatro, Centro Nacional de las Artes, Mexico City I Behance
— Photo: Flyer I Program I Poster drafts I © Centro Nacional de las Artes
Flying Fish Over Mexico
“Flying Fish Over Mexico is a poetic journey across time and space. Blending theater, dance, and visual art, it shows the backdrop of Mexico's culture. Directed by Pedro Valiente, choreographed by Evelia Kochen, and produced by Guadalupe Lima, it is a production by Flying Fish Work, co-produced by Tecnológico de Monterrey and the National Center for the Arts.
The story unfolds as a dreamlike search of identity and memory. It weaves together elements of Mexican history and contemporary themes, creating a tale that is both local and universal. The love of Gondwana and Laurasia allows for multiple views, inviting the audience to embark on self-discovery. The characters embody archetypes and emotions through movements that convey a rich inner life. Through minimal yet powerful performances, they become mirrors reflecting the complexities of the human experience. Central to the project is Butoh, addying a layer of introspection, a language of its own.
The visuals are crafted with set design that evoke a sense of timelessness. Each scene is a painting in motion, where lighting creates a haunting atmosphere with images that enhance emotional resonances. The poetic text evolves with dialogue and monologues that echo with beauty. Words create a rhythm that match visual and physical elements. The piece invites the audience to engage with art on different forms. It offers a look into an extraordinary world.” Site I EXTERNAL REVIEW