The title ‘A Sucker’s Born Every Minute’ is a statement in itself. What does it tell us about the story and the film’s tone?

It’s a bit cheeky, a bit dark. It speaks to the moment we’re living through as a society, where no matter how hard you work, getting rich seems impossible. You find yourself wondering: “How on earth did that guy, with that massive car and that huge house, get there?” The film reflects that feeling that stealing, ripping people off or pulling shady tricks is what the “smart” ones do, while the rest of us work, study, get degrees and end up stuck in a low-paid job. It’s a portrait of a society where it’s every person for themselves, and where everyone wants to get to easy money quickly and without much effort.

The film has a very strong cast: Hugo Silva, Susi Sánchez, Belén Rueda, among others. What was it like working with them?

It was an absolute pleasure, because when you’re shooting comedy the atmosphere on set is much more relaxed. It’s not like ‘Undercover’, where every scene felt more claustrophobic than the last and we were all quite tense. With comedy, actors actively take part in shaping their characters — playing around, laughing — and that brings incredible energy. I honestly think the best thing about the film is the actors. They’re all fantastic; there isn’t a single one who doesn’t shine. On this kind of shoot, a sort of synergy develops where the comedy arises spontaneously. For instance, Susi Sánchez and Diego Anido would sometimes steal the spotlight in background moments, improvising and adding ideas that enriched the scene. I’d say, “Stop! This is Hugo’s scene!” — but they couldn’t help themselves. They got so deeply into their roles that their characters, so odd and eccentric, ended up infecting everyone else with that energy. Working with them was a real joy. I had an amazing time and learned a huge amount from their creativity.

Which moments would you highlight from the shoot or the dynamics between the actors?

I loved working with Hugo Silva, because he plays Toni Lomas, a character right at the bottom of the social ladder: a drug addict who was briefly semi-famous and who, despite life’s ups and downs — even time in prison — remains a happy, very short-sighted sort of guy. For him, if he manages to get hold of a hundred euros, that’s his day made. Hugo threw himself into the role so completely that it felt as though Toni Lomas was around all day, even when he was eating or having dinner. He fully absorbed the character. I remember one day after a very long shoot. We were all exhausted, and I said, “Hugo, shall we grab a beer afterwards? Are you coming?” and he replied, “Of courseeeeeee!” Then at the end of the day he said, “Just so you know, that was Toni Lomas talking, not Hugo — I’m completely knackered.” It was hilarious watching how they took ownership of their characters. And then there’s Susi Sánchez, who’s basically the true lady of Spanish cinema: elegant, sweet and charming. Here she plays Mari, a petty crook who’ll do anything to make a bit of money. Seeing her dressed in animal print and a tracksuit that was practically falling off her was surreal. I kept thinking, “I’m ruining the true lady of Spanish cinema!” But she was delighted — enjoying something she’d never done before. And honestly, that’s a joy to watch.

So it’s quite a wild film then…

It’s definitely not a polite, family-friendly comedy, I can assure you. There are drugs, sex, ostriches, robberies, crooks… there’s everything except elegance.

The film has been selected for the Malaga Film Festival, which is a major showcase for Spanish cinema. What does that recognition mean to you?

It’s a huge joy. Malaga Film Festival is now the first major festival of the year and it works a bit like the starting point for the rest of the season, as well as being the perfect opportunity for audiences to start discovering the film. Malaga is a fantastic place to premiere, and if it’s a comedy, even better. I’m incredibly happy and very proud to be selected and to be there. We’re screening on a Friday, which is a great day — and I just hope I survive, because Malaga can be dangerous… so much fish! We’re going to have a brilliant time.

What kind of experience can audiences expect when they see the film?

First and foremost, I want people to smile, have a good time and enjoy themselves. But behind that there’s also a social message: that sense that everyone here is cheating in some way, and that no one wants to be the last fool who doesn’t. There’s also this idea that politicians, privileged people — all of us, really — have an incredible obsession with money. I’ve always heard the phrase “money can’t buy happiness”, but I’m sure the person who said it had plenty of money. Because people who struggle to make it to the end of the month, pay their mortgage or find decent housing probably wouldn’t see it the same way. So in a way the film is a critique of the greedy society we’re living in — where we want the biggest plasma TV, the biggest house, the most powerful car — when in reality there are far more important things to achieve.

Finally, after Malaga, are there plans for a festival circuit? And are you working on any other projects you can tell us about?

The most immediate thing is the Barcelona Film Festival, as well as the cinema release on the 22nd of May. Right now I’m also preparing another film that we’ll shoot in October, about Jehovah’s Witnesses — quite a subject. I tend to alternate: I make a more personal film, then a comedy to clear the palate, and now it’s time for another personal project. This one will be quite a complicated and very different journey, and Carolina Yuste will once again be the lead.