Juliana Rodriguez's Mermaid's Tale
8/01/2025
Catching Waves and Fish: The Art of Filmmaking Underwater
by Kraken Film Magazine
Once upon a time, the sea was basically the original source of all the best stories—mermaids singing sailors to their doom, krakens sinking ships, and all kinds of weird and wonderful mysteries lurking beneath the waves. It’s no wonder the ocean totally captivated Juliana Rodriguez as a kid, especially with its endless magic and her own lifelong obsession with mermaids.
And what better place to chat about this short plunge into the fantastical than at the Kraken Film Festival? After all, Juliana’s short film “The Mermaid Collector” feels like it's full of surprises, but just below the surface.
We’ll talk about the challenges of being a female director in a pool of men, how being also a mother adds a whole new layer to her work, and the special behind-the-scenes of collaborating with her husband on the film’s VFX.
So, grab your diving gear, because this interview is about to explore childhood dreams.
MEET JULIANA RODRIGUEZ
Juliana Rodríguez is an Argentinian filmmaker, writer, editor, and producer who has made a splash in the cinematic world since moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2014.
After taking a brief hiatus, she returned to narrative filmmaking in 2023, ready to dive back into her creative pursuits.
Her independent film production company, Revolver Producciones, reflects her belief that cinema should deliver a powerful impact—much like a shot straight to the heart.
A JOURNEY BENEATH THE SURFACE… FROM ARGENTINA TO THE US
As we settle into our conversation, Juliana reflects on her transition from Argentina to the U.S: moving countries before she turned 30 was like jumping… Into a new ocean.
“I still have a lot of my Argentine heritage and culture, but absorbing the American culture I live in now, with children who speak most of the time in English, it’s also inevitable. 10 years ago I always had mate with cookies for breakfast, today I still have mate but with scrambled eggs. Switching scripts from Spanish to English is a very curious thing too, because a scene that can work in one culture doesn't work in the other, so it makes you turn your head completely, sometimes even eliminating scenes.”
Her journey has not only shaped her identity but also influenced how she tells stories.
Translating humor between cultures could be like trying to catch a slippery fish—what works in one culture might just sink in another!
“I live in a state, North Carolina, that is quite a bit more conservative than other states in the US, so I feel that my stories or my approach to narrative can be seen as a bit shocking here.”
TELL US ABOUT "THE MERMAID COLLECTOR"
Q. How was the short film born?
A. “I loved the idea of a realistic mermaid and her struggle to survive in the city. One day, while browsing Instagram, I came across some PADI mermaid women and thought, ‘Why not make a short film about a mermaid and cast one of those girls for the lead role?’ So, I wrote a script about a mermaid living as a servant, trapped on a boat (not knowing she is actually a mermaid), and her relationship with her apparent father. I published an online casting call, and within minutes, I received a response from Anna Chesleigh Donaldson, an actress and certified PADI mermaid who has been making public appearances in different aquariums in the USA since she was 12. The moment I saw her, I knew she was the perfect choice for the role with her long red hair and that nostalgic look I always search for in actors and actresses.
Marcos Zanet, my husband, worked on the VFX shots in the movie that were a huge deal and a very important part of the project.”
Originally, Juliana planned to shoot her film on a yacht borrowed from a friend of the film’s actor. However, at the last minute, her friend changed her mind, leaving Juliana scrambling for an alternative. She quickly thought of using a wagon train in Pullen Park, Raleigh. While it was a challenging location, its aesthetic was perfect—complete with gray walls that evoked a sense of confinement, aligning beautifully with the film's fantasy and fairy tale themes.
Q. Getting a fund for a short film could not be easy sometimes. We know you’ve got a grant from United Arts Wake County to do the film. How did getting a grant helped you craft the film?
A. I received an invitation from an art gallery where I was working at the time. These grants often suffer from a lack of promotion, so it frequently happens that you have several opportunities like this and have no idea about them. Luckily, I found out about this particular grant, and it was a perfect fit for the mermaid project.
I had already written the script, but filming in this wagon train wasn’t going to be cheap, and renting a boat as an alternative would be even more expensive. In any case, I needed funding, so I applied and then waited. Fortunately, at the beginning of this year, I received the grant, and that’s how I was able to make the mermaid film. I'm really honored and grateful to have received this support from United Arts Wake County.
THE MOTHERHOOD EXPERIENCE
Juliana’s latest film, The Mermaid Collector, draws heavily from her experiences as a mother.
“With Marcella [the protagonist] in The Mermaid Collector, I approached [the character] from a very close motherhood perspective” she explains. “Probably the hardest part—the part where you feel like you are running around all the time, cleaning, cooking and watching over others non-stop—barely sleeping at night, like a modern Cinderella. Children are beautiful, but especially in the early years you can feel very exhausted and have that feeling of lack of freedom.”
“I wasn’t stuck on a ship in the middle of the sea, you know?” she laughs, “But I was in a big house, full of rooms that seemed quite endless most of the time. When you prioritize family, not all friends stay close; most disappear. That was a very hard reality for me.”
Ah yes, motherhood: where friendships can drift away faster than a rubber ducky in a storm!
Q: How would you describe your life both as a mother and a filmmaker?
“It’s like trying to balance on a tightrope above shark-infested waters!” she exclaims with humor. “Guilt is my constant companion; I wish I could be everywhere at once.”
“It’s like you would love to be 100 percent with your kids, and at the same time with your art, but you can’t, the day has only 24 hours, so the biggest challenge here is to achieve harmony with everything and have time to sleep. ”
Q: What do you think of women who are mothers and work at their jobs as well?
A: It is very admirable and it would be ideal not to have to choose, to have the possibility to do everything you want and not be judged for it.
BEING A FEMALE FILMMAKER
Q. In what ways has being a female filmmaker shaped your journey in the industry?
A. Well, let’s just say I’ve had to swim against the tide! I started young, earning my film directing degree at 22, but back then, nobody took me seriously— from the company productions to fellow filmmakers, even female filmmakers. It felt like there was this ghost haunting filmmaking, whispering that it was a man’s world.
I remember that back then at university, we practiced with real film, and those cameras were really heavy, so they were always delegated to the biggest and strongest students in the class. Even when cameras became lighter and film transitioned to video, I was often the last option for camera work if there wasn't a man available before me.
In a way, today cinema is still the same in other aspects; you can see and feel the difference in how some members of a project group approach a project when working with a man versus a woman. I think that during those years, the disrespect toward women in filmmaking improved a little, but not enough. So, to answer your question, being a female filmmaker has helped me a lot and has probably shaped my way of telling stories. I don't like to dwell on it too much, but even when you try not to think about it, you still see it everyday.
Q. The industry is seeing a rise in female directors, but progress is still slow. How do
you think female filmmakers can help reshape the industry, and how could they be more supported - from your perspective?
A. I think there needs to be more film festivals or even categories that highlight female filmmakers because we are a minority and generally have a harder time moving forward in pursuing our passion. Many female filmmakers also want to have families, so sadly, it often feels like it's one or the other. You can try to have both, but you know you're starting a marathon one hundred yards back.
EXPLORING THE MERMAID'S THEME
Q. Your fascination with mermaids began in childhood. Do you see this as a symbol of nostalgia, freedom, or something deeper in your life?
A. The first time I saw “The Little Mermaid” was at my aunt Monica and cousin Romina’s house. They lived on the beach in La Serena, Mar del Plata, I rarely left my house beside of school hours.
I remember the first time we saw “The Little Mermaid”, for some reason I don’t know why the movie rental store gave us the original version where Ariel died hahaha it was a shock but I loved it anyway, so the sea and the mermaid always bring back these beautiful memories with my grandmother, my aunt and my cousin there. My cousin herself was a kind of mermaid, stunningly beautiful and from a very early age she would swim in the depths and get all these shields, shells and things she could find, like watches and things that other swimmers might lose. Definitely being there was the closest I got to freedom in my early life.
Q. Do you believe your choice of themes—like confinement, struggle, and transformation—reflects your own personal journey?
A. I definitely believe it. I come from a very hard life of confinement. Summers were completely locked up in my house during my childhood. I don't want to go into details, but writing and making movies with my Barbie dolls back then was one of those things that helped me survive, but yes, those themes definitely reflect my personal journey.
ABOUT THE FUTURE
What are Juliana’s next steps?
Juliana Rodríguez is about to shake things up in the film world! In just a few weeks, she’s heading to Argentina to shoot a short film called Samantha’s Tutorial, featuring the fabulous Alexia Moyano. “I am also writing a feature film version of “The Mermaid Collector”, she adds.
Q. If you could cast any actor or professional for your next film, who would it be and why?
A. I dream of working on a full-length horror film version of "The Mermaid Collector" starring Jon Hamm. [...] The Madmen series is one of my all-time favorites and Jon's work on it is priceless. I particularly love that sense of mystery and nostalgia he evokes no matter the character that he plays.
As the interview wraps up, Juliana ponders on her journey and the world of mermaids she’s created. At the end of the day, whether you're navigating the waters of motherhood or filmmaking, you can find inspiration anywhere.
Remember, life is like the ocean—sometimes you ride the waves, and sometimes you just need to float. And if all else fails, don’t forget to check your sails. Sometimes you just need a little adjustment to help you catch the right breeze!
Kraken Film Fest.
Watch The Mermaid Collector here:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/MX4fRXPsRXY
Contact info:
Instagram: instagram.com/revolver.producciones