Exclusive Interview: Aitch Alberto talks Ari & Dante, the Latino community, and more!

Last week, Q+ Magazine had the opportunity to spend some time on Zoom with the director and screenwriter of the highly anticipated film Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe, Aitch Alberto. And we have to confess that if we already loved this incredible and talented human being in these offices, after this conversation we are even more in love with her.

Interviewing Alberto is like chatting with an old friend. Her easy-going and joyous personality works like a spell that instantly makes you feel like you’ve known her for years, instead of just a couple of minutes. Her enthusiasm and insight into talking about topics that she’s passionate about seeps through the screen with every answer she gives and, in all honesty, it’s a wonderful thing to witness.

Born in Miami, Florida, and of Cuban decent, Alberto has been making her way into the entertainment industry all by herself. Her short films have screened at various festivals and venues around the world, but it was at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year that she made her directorial debut with her first feature film, Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe – a coming-of-age story based on the book of the same name by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

During the course of our conversation, Alberto shares a bit about her journey breaking into the industry as a trans woman of color, and the importance of the Latino community showing up to support their own people. She also talks about how her work is driven by a need to move the needle and make representation of Latinos and LGBTQ+ people in media more authentic and less stereotypical and, of course, what she’s allowed to share at this stage about her long-awaited film.

Alberto’s pride when she discusses the making of Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe is palpable. She shares, with a smile on her face, how proud she is of the incredible reviews the film garnered after its sold-out screenings at TIFF, and what it was like to work not only with so many important figures in the Latino community in Hollywood, but also of her experience of bringing Ari and Dante to life at the hands of Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzalez.

She’s aware of the significance this film has for so many people around the world. The story touched her as much as the rest of us, and in her words, she “was really tapped in with the fans and what was important to them.” And while she knows that she won’t be able to please everyone, she wants fans to know that their voices were very present in the making of the film.

So rest easy, Ari and Dante fans, our beloved story is in very good hands. 

You can check our interview with Aitch Alberto in the video down below.

*Questions and footage have been edited for clarity. English and Spanish subtitles have been provided.

Keep an eye on this space for more news on Ari and Dante in the hopefully very near future.

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