#465 – Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking

#465 – Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking

April 17, 2025 3 hr 35 min
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📋 Episode Description

Robert Rodriguez is a legendary filmmaker and creator of Sin City, El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids, Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn, Alita: Battle Angel, The Faculty, and his newest venture Brass Knuckle Films.

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Transcript:

https://lexfridman.com/robert-rodriguez-transcript


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EPISODE LINKS:

Robert’s X: https://x.com/rodriguez

Robert’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/rodriguez/

Brass Knuckle Films: https://brassknucklefilms.com/

Rebel without a Crew (book): https://amzn.to/3G7gtQJ

Rebel without a Crew (audiobook): https://amzn.to/3Ri5wyc


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OUTLINE:

(00:00) – Introduction

(10:04) – Explosions and having only one take

(17:39) – Success and failure

(26:28) – Filmmaking on a low budget

(38:41) – El Mariachi

(50:10) – Creativity

(1:12:06) – Limitations

(1:18:22) – Handling criticism

(1:34:32) – Action films

(1:45:53) – Quentin Tarantino

(1:55:52) – Desperado

(1:56:54) – Salma Hayek

(2:01:40) – Danny Trejo

(2:06:55) – Filming in Austin

(2:13:05) – Editing

(2:22:35) – Sound design

(2:27:43) – D