– Who is Jean-François Rodrigues?
I suppose you could say I’ve always been searching for a path that gives my life true purpose. Over the years, I’ve been a trained engineer, a professional pastry chef, a journalist, and most recently, a government intelligence officer. But everything changed when I was diagnosed with an incurable chronic pain condition, which abruptly ended my government career.
It was during that difficult time that I discovered a new sense of purpose through independent filmmaking. It gave me a powerful way to explore and address issues I felt deeply mattered in society.
– Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?
To be honest, my introduction to cinema wasn’t love at first sight—it was born out of one of the saddest chapters of my life. After a tragic misdiagnosis, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away within a week of hospitalization. Despite being 53 at the time, I found myself completely unprepared to navigate palliative and end-of-life care. I felt lost.
I realized how many others might feel the same way during such a vulnerable time, and I wanted to help change that. So I made a documentary about palliative and end-of-life care, which was screened in 28 locations across the UK and used to educate healthcare professionals. It helped me reclaim a sense of purpose after losing my previous career, and it marked the beginning of my journey into filmmaking.
– Tell us about your project Letters to Mother Earth.
Letters to Mother Earth is my third film project, and it represents a shift in both subject and style. Climate change has become my raison d’être, and I wanted to approach it in a more creative and experimental way. Rather than creating another traditional documentary, I chose to explore how music—one of the most universal and timeless forms of expression—can communicate urgent messages.
Historically, music transcends borders, cultures, and generations, so I curated three original tracks around the theme of climate change: a hip-hop piece, a Christian worship song, and a classical piano composition. Each artist shared their personal reflections on the topic, giving the project a unique and emotional resonance. It has been well-received on the festival circuit so far, which is incredibly encouraging.
– Which director inspires you the most?
As someone still new to filmmaking, my list of influences isn’t long, but one director who’s had a profound impact on me is Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen. In a world growing increasingly secular, his series about the life of Jesus is not only bold but beautifully executed. His vision is now defying expectations and, in many ways, feels like a cinematic Christian revival.
– What do you dislike about the world, and what would you change?
I wish my generation—the older generation—would take more responsibility for the world we’re leaving behind. Too often, we focus only on the short-term impacts on our lives and forget the bigger picture.
Climate change is a real and urgent issue that will deeply affect future generations. Governments need to take more honest, focused, and bold action. I want to leave my children and grandchild a world that’s still filled with beauty, mystery, and, above all, more love—for our planet and all the life it sustains.
– How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?
Given the pace of technological advancement—especially in film—I can imagine a future where you input a script into an AI and it generates a full holographic film ready for distribution. It might sound far-fetched, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
Even so, I believe there will always be a human yearning for the authentic. Just like how analog photography has made a nostalgic comeback, perhaps cinema will also experience a revival that values human emotion, storytelling, and imperfection.
– What is your impression of WILD FILMMAKER?
I see WILD FILMMAKER as an essential platform—giving a voice to small, independent filmmakers who can so easily get lost in today’s oversaturated industry. It’s incredibly important to have a space where emerging voices can be heard and seen.
There’s so much talent out there, and it would be a true shame if that creativity remained unnoticed. Your platform helps elevate those voices, and for that, I’m truly grateful.
