Miami, FL – March 7, 2019 – During Miami Film Festival‘s 36th edition, World Red Eye caught up with Director Jose Daniel “Jaydee” Freixas of “Vandal” and producer Tony Gonzalez during the films World Premiere at the Festival. Gonzalez and Freixas met when Jaydee produced music video for Gonzalez’s record label, the two Miami natives immediately bonded and knew that they had bigger things they wanted to do in the entertainment industry. In 2016, the duo partnered to form Exilium, an American film and television company producing indie and studio films, documentary and scripted series.

Now, their latest film “Vandal” co-written, produced and co-financed by Exilium, is based on the story of Nick Cruz, a young, highly talented graffiti writer and artist, struggling to justify the world of illegal graffiti as he experiences loss, love and the consequences. Filmed in Miami’s famous Wynwood Arts District, Little Havana, and Little Haiti neighborhoods; the film puts a spotlight on thrills and struggles of the multi-cultural neighborhoods. The films lead actors include Daniel Zovatto (films Don’t Breathe and It Follows), Richard Schiff (TV shows The West Wing, Ballers, and The Good Doctor), Frankie J. Alvarez (HBO’s Looking), Manolo Gonzalez-Vergara, Dax Rudnak, and Kelly “Risk” Graval. Read the full Q&A below as we got the first look at the film and in depth interview with the men behind it all.

We met when he produced a music video for my record label, we immediately bonded and knew that we had bigger things we wanted to do in the entertainment industry.

Tony Gonzalez & Jose Daniel Freixas

WRE: What sparked your career in the film industry?

TG: I got into this industry about four years ago from the desire to tell stories that were important to me and to my culture. Being of Cuban descent and having been born and raised in Miami, I felt that there weren’t enough films and/ or TV programs that represented what I have experienced in my lifetime. We have a very unique community in Miami; New York, Chicago, and LA have had their fair share of the limelight. It’s our turn now!

JDF: In many ways, “Vandal”, sparked my career in the film industry. Towards the end of high school, based on my own experiences in the graffiti game in Miami, I had already started thinking that someone had to make a film about it. A few years later, while in college, I watched Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittu’s first film “Amorres Perros” and that was it. I decided I was going to make films and applied to film school.

WRE: What’s your tie or background with South Florida?

TG: Born and raised in the 305! My family came from Cuba as exiles in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

JDF: I was born and raised in Miami. Both my parents are Cuban exiles. I graduated from the University of Miami Film School and got my start in the film industry working as an assistant on films shooting in the city. I made my first short film here, and since have made my last two feature films in Miami.

WRE: In 2016 you both partnered to form Exilium, an American film and television company. How did the partnership come about?

TG & JDF: Jaydee and I share the same passion about telling stories that we have personally experienced in one form or another. We complement each other’s point of view very well since there’s a 15 year age gap between us. We met when he produced a music video for my record label, we immediately bonded and knew that we had bigger things we wanted to do in the entertainment industry.

WRE: “Vandal” just deputed at the Miami Film Festival. Tell us about the inspiration behind the film?

TG: When Jaydee and I first partnered, this was one of two projects he had in mind; the other was The Corporation. Jaydee lived the world of graffiti and I experienced it from the flip side, thinking that these kids were just “vandals” and didn’t understand what drove them to do what they do. Needless to say, once we started writing and I started meeting these so called “vandals,” my perception took a total turn. I could now appreciate their motivation and desire to “tag” and leave their mark. I appreciated the code they lived by; their culture, intelligence and artistic gift.

JDF: I drew on a lot of my own experiences in the graffiti game, but also incorporated a lot of other stories from friends, and acquaintances. The story and characters are composites of many true stories and characters that lived it in real life. We really wanted to tell a story that was true to the city of Miami, true to graffiti and street art culture as a whole, and true to ourselves. So far, most graffiti artists and street artists that have watched the film have given their nod of respect, which means a lot to us.

Vandal is the classic story about a young man coming of age and being smart enough about his decision to mature or perish – it’s ultimately what happens in real life; some make it to grow old and wise, while others don’t.

Tony Gonzalez & Jose Daniel “Jaydee” Freixas

WRE: What other projects are you both working on?

TG & JDF: We have multiple projects in various stages of development – from indie films, studio films, doc series, to scripted series. Some that have been announced: we are producing a film entitled “The Corporation”, which is in development at Paramount Pictures, with Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio producing as well, and Academy Award Winner Benicio Del Toro set to star. “The Corporation” is based on New York Times bestselling author T.J. English’s book of the same name. We are also producing a scripted series entitled “The Exiles”, with acclaimed director David Ayer, Chris Long, T.J. English and Entertainment One.

WRE:What do you want viewers to take away from this film? What is the one thing you want young filmmakers to know about “Vandal”?

TG & JDF: Understanding a world that surrounds us, yet many of us know little about, is one of the reasons “Vandal” will connect with all audiences. It’s the classic story about a young man coming of age and being smart enough about his decision to mature or perish – it’s ultimately what happens in real life; some make it to grow old and wise, while others don’t. Our advice for young filmmakers is it’s process – from the idea stage to writing and completing a script to raising money and then shooting the film and editing, etc. – You have to commit and go all in. No half ass efforts will succeed in this business!

GALLERY SLIDER