Director Maca Rubio on Being Right Where She Wants to Be

And giving ideas space and form

Maca is a director working across commercials, music videos, short films and photography.

We spent two minutes with Maca to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired. 

Maca, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires. And still here.

How you first realized you were creative.

It was the sum of many things. I always loved music and played several instruments. So, from a very young age, I was familiar with creativity and the beauty and frustration that comes with it. I also started taking pictures in high school and realized I was looking for interesting characters and scenarios. I combined all of this with theater, and, in a subconscious way, with being a sensitive human being.

A person you idolized creatively early on.

When I was 17 I discovered the cinema of Agnes Varda and it stuck with me forever.

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on.

I am lucky to say I’ve enjoyed the process of all the projects I’ve worked on because I’ve gained something different from each one. I just shot two commercials with Stink that made me feel very fortunate and happy. My latest documentary short Ikigai, which is about a Japanese craft museum, was special. I co-directed it with Juan Cavia and premiered it on Nowness. And I still connect with some of my early projects. Like shooting on a Super 8 camera with a friend in the middle of a cemetery and only communicating through hand gestures to avoid getting caught. 

Something you’re proud of.

Being in the place I’ve always wanted to be—and solving a Rubik’s Cube 3×3 in 40 seconds.

Someone else’s work, in film or beyond, that you admired lately.

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Though they are not new at all, I learned a lot by rewatching their films. 

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

Book: In Praise of Shadows, by Junichiro Tanizaki.

An artist you admire outside the world of film/advertising.

Nick Cave.

Your favorite fictional character.

Reynolds Woodcock in Phantom Thread, interpreted by Daniel Day Lewis. His character has so many layers of introspection and subtleties that when he connects with other characters, it’s just as real and intense as it can get.

Your main strength as a creative person.

Collaboration.

Your biggest weakness.

I won’t tell you what my therapist says. Maybe losing. I don’t like losing.

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.

Architecture or design. I like to make ideas come to life. I care about ideas very much. To give them their space and correct form. And actually I believe these disciplines have very much to do with what I do now.