{
  "id": 8934701,
  "title": "Inside ‘Facing El Chapo’: An interview with screenwriter Bernardo Esquinca",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/inside-facing-el-chapo-an-interview-with-screenwriter-bernardo",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T14:00:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mexico News Daily",
    "slug": "mexico-news-daily",
    "url": "https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/facing-el-chapo-bernardo-esquinca-interview/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Netflix original series \"Facing El Chapo,\" based on a true story, has become a major success for Mexican cinema. Directed by Chava Cartas and written by screenwriter Bernardo Esquinca, the film managed to top the global Top 10 chart without significant advertising, thanks to word-of-mouth alone. The plot reconstructs the arrest of Joaquín \"El Chapo\" Guzmán Loera during a routine traffic stop in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and the subsequent dilemma faced by two police officers who must guard him while resisting bribery attempts and external interference. The film, inspired by journalistic chronicles by Héctor de Mauleón, highlights the moral dilemma faced by the officers and distances itself from glorifying crime. Esquinca, known for his horror and crime fiction, faced challenges due to the lack of official information and the protection of the real officers' identities. He relied on de Mauleón's chronicles and introduced creative elements like unexpected encounters to enrich the narrative. Unlike typical narco-genre productions, \"Facing El Chapo\" focuses on the police officers' struggles and the moral dilemma they face, challenging the cultural prejudice against Mexican authorities.",
  "summary": "Bernardo Esquinca, the screenwriter behind Netflix's new hit movie, \"Facing El Chapo,\" tells Mexico News Daily about the film's appeal and challenges. The post Inside ‘Facing El Chapo’: An interview with screenwriter Bernardo Esquinca appeared first on Mexico News Daily",
  "key_points": [
    "Netflix series \"Facing El Chapo\" based on true story",
    "Directed by Chava Cartas, written by Bernardo Esquinca",
    "Focuses on police officers' moral dilemma, not crime glorification"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}